St Thomas’ book Galway SHC final date with champions Loughrea

St Thomas’ booked their placewith a comprehensive 4-18 to 0-19 win over neighbours Craughwell, while in the second game of the double-header under floodlights at Pearse Stadium, Loughrea ousted Turloughmore 

STALWART: Eanna Burke of St Thomas. FILE photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

St Thomas’ will face champions Loughrea in the Galway SHC final in two weeks in a repeat of the 2022 decider which Thomas’ won by a point after a replay.

St Thomas’ booked their place in their ninth final since they reached their first in 2012 with a comprehensive 4-18 to 0-19 win over neighbours Craughwell, while in the second game of the double-header under floodlights at Pearse Stadium, Loughrea ousted Turloughmore by 1-17 to 0-15.

St Thomas’ ability to get goals was crucial in their victory. They led by 1-10 to 0-9 at the break having played with the breeze, with captain Eanna Burke finding the net three minutes from the interval when Conor Cooney broke a ball to set him up.

Craughwell, with Ciaran Leen and Tom Monaghan leading the way, started the second-half strongly and hit four points without reply to tie the game.

But 2017 All-Ireland winning captain David Burke settled St Thomas’ with a good point and they got a foothold again and struck a big blow when Victor Manso got the first of his two goals to lead by 2-13 to 0-14.

Conor Cooney, who finished with 0-10, extended the lead before Evan Brady set up Manso for his sixth goal of the campaign to put nine points between.

There was no way back for Craughwell and St Thomas’ wrapped up the win with a goal from Darragh Burke.

A strong finish to the opening half helped champions Loughrea lead by 0-12 to 0-7 at the break in the second game as the rain got heavier at the Salthill venue.

Loughrea outscored Turloughmore by 0-7 to 0-1 in the closing eleven minutes of the half. Two great saves either side of the break by Darragh Walsh kept Turloughmore in contention.

The sides twice exchanged points after the restart but Loughrea pushed the lead out to 0-16 to 0-9 at the end of the third quarter.

Three pointed frees from Conor Walsh cut the gap to four before Darren Shaughnessy hit back for Loughrea to put five between them.

An exciting finish was set up when Walsh and Sean Linnane pointed to leave a goal between them. Walsh’s eighth pointed free cut the gap to two a minute into injury-time but Loughrea sealed the win when a long-range effort from Kieran Hanrahan ended up in the net.