Loughrea always in control

Loughrea 1-12 Turloughmore 0-07

Turloughmore never looked like recreating the form that ousted Joe Canning’s Portumna and their wait for a first final since 1990 goes on. While All-Star and Galway skipper Fergal Moore was majestic in the full-back line, their lack of penetration up front proved costly. Johnny Maher’s first of seven points and a Neil Keary point on the turn got Loughrea off to a flyer, but after a lethargic opening, a Ronan Badger free and a super point from 38-year-old Francis Forde brought Turlough level.

But Colleran’s goal gave Loughrea the cushion their early pressure deserved. Emmett Mahony was the creator, with a slick pick-up, side-step and hand-pass to Colleran who rounded Paul Dullaghan in goal before tapping to the net for a 1-2 to 0-2 lead.

Patrick Hoban added another point for Loughrea, before Johnny Maher hit two in-a-row to secure a 1-6 to 0-4 lead at the break for the South Galway side.

Turloughmore looked to have upped their efforts after the restart and went point for point with Loughrea.

A sweet point off a shortened grip from Hoban gave Loughrea a six-point advantage, but Matthew Keating’s pointed effort after he gathered the break gave the underdogs renewed hope.

However, three points in-a-row from Sean Sweeney, Johnny O’Loughlin and Maher put the result beyond doubt as Loughrea’s superior fitness and skill level began to tell.

Turloughmore had a faint hope of a comeback with a 20-metre free 15 minutes from time, but Galway U-21 defender Daithí Burke failed to lift the ball cleanly and the chance dissipated.

Scorers for Loughrea: J Maher 0-7 (6fs), K Colleran 1-0, P Hoban 0-2, J O’Loughlin 0-1, N Keary 0-1, S Sweeney 0-1f.

Scorers for Turloughmore: R Badger 0-3fs, F Forde 0-1, C Burke 0-1, M Keating 0-1, G Burke 0-1’65.

LOUGHREA: N Murray; Eoin Mahony, D McClearn, S Sweeney; J Coen, P Hoban, B Mahony; G Keary, Emmett Mahony; J O’Loughlin, V Maher, P Hoban; N Keary, J Maher, K Colleran.

Subs: J Dooley for Emmett Mahony (59), T Regan for B Mahony (61).

TURLOUGHMORE: P Dullaghan; M Casserly, R Burke, F Moore; B Holland, D Burke, K Hussey; C Burke, M Keating; M Morris, D O’Shaughnessy, G Burke; F Forde, R Badger, B Murphy.

Subs: D Forde for Badger (50), C Moore for Morris (54), B Cullinane for Murphy (57).

Referee: Leonard Fay.