GAA: Éanna the hero as St Thomas’ land the Tommy Moore Cup
St Thomas’ (Galway) 0-18 O’Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) 0-17
St Thomas’ are All-Ireland club hurling champions for the second time after defeating Kilkenny champions, O’Loughlin Gaels at Croke Park this afternoon. The Tommy Moore Cup will be making its journey west once again as the Galway club defeated their opponents by the bare minimum. For O’Loughlin Gaels, the long wait for an All-Ireland continues.
As Storm Isha barreled its way across the country, the hurling on show was not deterred. O’Loughlin Gaels were fast out of the blocks and opened their account after a free from the busy Mark Bergin. St Thomas’ themselves settled quickly as James Regan popped over his sides two opening scores.
St Thomas’s brought aggression in the tackle and a dogged determination from the start. David Fogarty drove forward and found himself in acres of space and used the strong breeze to whistle his effort over to leave the scores after five minutes of St Thomas’ 0-1 to O’Loughlin Gaels 0-2. The first moment of controversy arose on seven minutes.
Conor Heary dished out a heavy frontal challenge on St Thomas’s captain Conor Cooney which ended up with Heary only being brandished a yellow card. David Burke was issued with a caution also for his protests with referee Seán Stack. The next moment of controversy ensued with the Kilkenny champions having what looked like a goal not given. A goal bound effort was miraculously saved on the line by Fintan Burke who looked like he may have carried the ball over the line which, was not given.
David Burke and Paddy Deegan traded points as the tight, intense battle continued. Bergin added another point as the Gaels efficiency in front of the posts remained perfect. Regan tied the game up once again before, more controversy boiled over. Jordan Molloy delivered what appeared to be a headbutt to David Burke which was unpunished.
Molloy added his name to the scoresheet on 15 minutes which was cancelled out by Cooney who slotted over a free. David Sherry was unfortunately taken out of the fray after picking up what looked like a knee injury. O’Loughlin Gaels began to spread their wings with singles from Molloy, Bolger and a bomb from 65 yards from the hurl of captain Paddy Deegan.
Deegan and his back line, were in no mood to let the Galway men penetrate the goal and hunted in packs and provided numerous blocks. Luke Hogan landed a peach of a point from under the Hogan Stand to widen the gap to three points in favor of the Leinster kingpins. David Burke kept St Thomas’ in the half with a score before the tenacious Mikey Butler flicked over his only point of the game.
Cooney found the last score of the half to leave the sides going in at the break St Thomas’ 0-8 to O’Loughlin Gaels 0-10. David Burke sent over a statement score after the restart before, St Thomas’ were dealt the blow of losing Regan to a straight red for a frontal tackle on Jack Nolan.
The red card sparked a sequence of back and forward with great scores on show. St Thomas’ showed courage and bravery to keep attacking and found themselves in front again through brilliant efforts from Victor Manso and a monster free from netminder Gerald Kelly.
Gaels pushed forward and kept closer on 47 minutes after some patient build up, Heary applied the finishing touch. Cooney kept the Gaels at arms length again with a long range shot from 65 yards flying over the black spot.
As the clock ticked over and the home stretch was in sight Bergin sailed over another free on 54 minutes. Éanna Burke showed his talent and quality and with three Gaels men on his tail he flashed the ball between the uprights to push his side two points in front.
Yellow cards were dished out in the latter stages and in total eight cards were shown. Cooney sent over another free to leave three between the teams. The Gaels, sensed it was now or never in their quest for a first All-Ireland and tagged on points through Bergin and substitute Conor Kelly much to the delight of manager Brian Hogan.
With time going fast, David Fogarty sent an audacious effort from 60 yards out which found its target and the game was level in injury time. It now looked like extra time was upcoming. Step forward Éanna Burke who had other ideas. The starman picked up a loose sliotar and with one look up drove his shot over to leave the game in the hands of St Thomas’s.
The Gaels had one final free to tie the game up but, Bergin’s tricky chance drifted with the direction of the storm and St Thomas’ were once again crowned All-Ireland champions for the first time since 2013. It was heartbreak for O’Loughlin Gaels who’s wait for a first Tommy Moore cup continues.
Lineups
St Thomas’: Gerald Kelly (0-1, 1f); Cian Mahony, Fintan Burke, David Sherry; John Headd, Shane Cooney, Cathal Burke (0-1); Damien Finnerty, David Burke (0-3); Darragh Burke, Conor Cooney (0-6, 4fs), Victor Manso (0-2); James Regan (0-2), Éanna Burke (0-3), Oisín Flannery.
Subs: Evan Duggan for Sherry, Bernard Burke for Manso, Damien McGlynn for Flannery.
O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy (0-1,1fr); Tony Forristal, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler (0-1); David Fogarty (0-2), Paddy Deegan (0-2), Jordan Molloy (0-2); Jack Nolan, Cian Loy; Mark Bergin (0-4, 2f), Eoin O’Shea, Conor Heary (0-1); Owen Wall, Luke Hogan (0-1), Seán Bolger (0-2).
Subs: Conor Kelly (0-1) for O’Shea, Jamie Ryan for Nolan, Paddy Butler for Loy.
Referee: Seán Stack (Dublin).
