Loughrea remain on course for third consecutive Galway title but St Thomas' knocked out

All four of last year’s semi-finalists have to go through the preliminary quarter-finals this year in Galway

Substitute Jamie Ryan was the hero for Loughrea as he scored five points against Castlegar after entering the action. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Loughrea remain on course for a third Galway SHC title in a row after coming from behind to oust Castlegar by 2-21 to 2-17 in a cracking preliminary quarter-final at Athenry.

Jamie Ryan, who didn’t start because of a hamstring injury, was the hero for Loughrea when he landed five points after coming on during the second half as they came from four points adrift to advance to the last eight.

All four of last year’s semi-finalists had to go through the preliminary quarter-finals this year in Galway after losing group games but champions Loughrea, who have been beset by injuries in this campaign, eventually saw off the challenge of Castlegar.

Tiernan Killeen fired home an early goal for Loughrea against the wind but they trailed by 1-12 to 1-9 at the break after Jack Coyne found the net just before the interval for a Castlegar side who are the most prolific winners of the Galway title but without a crown since 1984.

Castlegar’s hopes suffered a big blow five minutes after the restart when Cathal Ryan picked up a second yellow card.

The introduction of Ryan was key as Loughrea got on top and his accuracy saw them open up a three points lead in the final quarter.

Another sub Martin McManus got Loughrea’s second goal in the closing stages but they were made sweat when 43-year-old former All Star Ger Farragher took his haul to 1-7, but the champions held on.

But last year’s runners-up St Thomas’ bowed out when they were edged out by 0-22 to 2-15 in a dramatic finish.

St Thomas’ led by 1-9 to 0-10 at the end of an opening half where they played with the wind, responding to a couple of early Gort points with 1-5 without reply, with Conor Cooney getting the goal from a free.

But Gort kept in touch with some good points from Aiden Helebert and two in a row from him levelled the game at 1-10 to 0-13 eight minutes after the restart.

Eanna Burke flicked home a goal for St Thomas’ to lead by three points going into the final quarter but Gort rallied and points from Nathan Gill, Greg Lally and Helebert got them back on level before Helebert’s 11th point of the contest in the fourth minute of added time sent Gort through and sent former All-Ireland champions St Thomas' crashing out.