A POINT deep into injury time from Tiernan Killeen saw Loughrea edge past Tommy Larkins to secure a third successive Galway Senior Hurling Championship title in dramatic fashion.
Once again, the reigning champions dug deep, drawing on all their experience in the closing stages to snatch a narrow one-point victory. For Tommy Larkins, their season ended in heartbreaking circumstances, but Niall Kelly’s side can look back on a remarkable campaign with immense pride, having reached their first county final since 1971.
Loughrea now look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final against Munster champions in December. Inagh Kilnamona face Thurles Sarsfields and Kilmallock take on reigning All-Ireland champions Ballygunner in the Munster semi-finals.
Scorers for Tommy Larkins: Jason Flynn 0-8 (4fs, 1 65), Kevin McHugo 0-2, Cian Daniels, Ronan Murphy, Conor Gardiner, Adrian Moran, Conor Slattery, and Eanna Murphy (f) 0-1 each.
Loughrea: Gearóid Loughnane; Alan Kelly, Johnny Coen, Paul Hoban; Brian Keary, Shane Morgan, Joe Mooney; Ian Hanrahan, Jamie Ryan; Anthony Burns, Cullen Killeen, Caimin Killeen; Vince Morgan, Martin McManus, Tieran Killeen.
Subs: Darren Shaughnessy for McManus (HT), Dylan Shaughnessy for I Hanrahan (46), Jack Shaughnessy for Burns (46), Shane O'Brien for Keary (56), Ethan Coleman for Morgan (60+2)
Tommy Larkins: Eanna Murphy; Keith Dervan, Conor Nevin, Eoghan Nevin; Darren Duggan, Ronan Murphy, Kevin McHugo; Cian Daniels, Conor Hanley; Jason Flynn, Adrian Moran, Conor Gardiner; Conor Slattery, Ben Porter, Colm Flynn.
Subs: Ben Shiel for Slattery (52), Cathal Tuohy for Porter (57), Tomas Lyons for C Flynn (60+5)
Referee: Conor Quinlan.
1. Young Loughrea supporters during the celebrations after Loughrea won the 2006 Senior Hurling Final at Pearse Stadium last Sunday.
Joe O'Shaughnessy
2. Loughrea v Tommy Larkin's Senior Hurling final 2026 at Pearse Stadium Loughrea captain Ian Hanrahan raises the Tom Callanan Cup after the presentation
Joe O'Shaughnessy
3. Pictured during the Tom Callanan Cup presentation are Claude Geoghegan, Chairperson Hurling Committee, Tess Callanan, wife of the late Tom Callanan, and Ian Hanrahan, Loughrea team captain
Joe O'Shaughnessy
4. Kieran Hanrahan with Tommy Hanrahan, son of the Loughrea team captain Ian Hanrahan, left, and Jack Keary with his dad Neil Keary during the presentation of the cup to Loughrea after they won the Senior Hurling final at Pearse Stadium last Sunday.
Joe O'Shaughnessy