Burns goal the difference as Loughrea win third ever Galway SHC title against Cappataggle

Anthony Burns of Loughrea celebrates after scoring what would turn out to be a crucial goal.

Galway SHC final: Loughrea 1-15 Cappataggle 0-16 

Anthony Burns’ 57th minute goal sealed Loughrea their third ever Galway SHC title in a nervy final at a packed Kenny Park in Athenry.

Cappataggle had reduced their arrears to two points when Joe Mooney made a bee-line for their goal. The excellent James Garvey and goalkeeper James Skehill appeared to have snuffed out the danger but Burns’ follow-up shot found the corner of the Cappataggle goal.

Outsiders Cappataggle, featuring in their first final, were left to rue a multitude of missed scoring chances in the second half, among them eight wides.

In a relatively low-scoring affair, Gearóid Loughnane’s penalty save from Liam Collins threatened to be pivotal. Although there was a suspicion of steps, Oran Finn was adjudged by referee Brian Keon to have been upended illegally but the Loughrea goalkeeper was level to Collins’ shot.

That 35th minute let-off was appreciated by Loughrea. They went as far as five points ahead. The Collins Niall and Liam brought Cappataggle back into it only for Burns to cap his three earlier points with a goal.

Back Cappataggle came in the form of Niall Collins to make it a two-point game in the additional minutes but Loughrea were able to avoid a sixth consecutive final defeat since their previous success in 2006.

Loughrea were the stronger side in the opening 10 minutes. They manufactured the first four points, all of them coming inside the first seven minutes and a couple from their half-back line, as Cappataggle were guilty of some wayward shooting.

Darren Shaughnessy of Loughrea is tackled by Michael Garvey.

A Jarlath Mannion goal attempt was put out by Loughrea netminder Loughnane in the eighth minute. However, Niall Collins sent over the resultant 65 and Cappataggle were up and running.

Over the next seven minutes, they more than matched Loughrea’s early rally to go 0-5 to 0-4 up. David Malone sent over back-to-back points and Liam Collins equalised in the 13th minute before referee Brian Coen spotted an off-the-ball foul by Johnny Coen and Niall Collins had an easy free to send over.

An exquisite point from an acute angle by Neil Keary brought Loughrea but they required another leveller from Anthony Burns in the 23rd minute following a beautiful Mannion point.

Loughrea went ahead when Tiernan Killeen punished a foul on the roving Shane O’Brien but it was their turn to be hauled back on two occasions before Loughrea finished the half with a flourish.

Winning primary ball, Loughrea’s physical edge was demonstrated as they reeled off three scores in a row to go in 0-11 to 0-8 ahead. Burns, with his third point, Ian Hanrahan and Tiernan Killeen launching from distance were the scorers.

Scorers for Loughrea: A. Burns (1-3); T. Killeen (0-4, 3 frees); J. Morgan (1 free, 1 65) (0-3); I. Hanrahan (0-2); S. O’Brien, Caimin Killeen, N. Keary (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cappataggle: N. Collins (0-8, 5 frees, 2 65s); L. Collins (0-4); D. Malone (0-3); J. Mannion (0-1).

LOUGHREA: G. Loughnane; P. Hoban, J. Coen, K. Hanrahan; S. O’Brien, S. Morgan, B. Keary; I. Hanrahan (c), S. Sweeney; C. Killeen, T. Killeen, J. Mooney; A. Burns, Darren Shaughnessy, N. Keary.

Subs: Cullen Killeen for S. Sweeney (inj 11); J. Ryan for N. Keary (39); Dylan Shaughnessy for Darren Shaughnessy (52); T. Hoban for C. Killeen (58).

CAPPATAGGLE: J. Skehill; D. Campbell, J. Garvey, L. Hession; L. Coughlan, M. Garvey, D. Dolan; E. Garvey, Oisín Finn; R. Garvey, N. Collins, Oran Finn (c); L. Collins, D. Malone, J. Mannion.

Subs: C. Bowes for Oran Finn (40); J. Egan for R. Garvey (46).

Referee: B. Keon (Tommy Larkins).