Jason Flynn shines as Tommy Larkins reach first Galway final in 55 years
Ronan Murphy scored Tommy Larkins' second goal Screenshot: ScreenSport
Tommy Larkins qualified for their first Galway senior hurling final since they won their only title in 1971 when they held off Clarinbridge in a gripping encounter at Kenny Park in Athenry.
Former Galway player Jason Flynn led the way for the Woodford-Ballinakill side with a haul of 0-13 as they reached their first final since they defeated Carnmore 55 years ago when former Galway All-Ireland winning manager Cyril Farrell was part of the squad.
Tommy Larkins, appearing in their first semi-final since losing to eventual winners Kiltormer in 1982, made a solid start against the wind in the opening half and raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after ten minutes with Conor Slattery, Cian Daniels, Conor Gardiner, Adrian Moran and Jason Flynn finding the target with Evan Niland responding for Clarinbridge.
Clarinbridge got on top and outscored Tommy Larkins by 0-6 to 0-1 in the next six minutes with Niland adding three more frees, Mark Kennedy also pointing and Gavin Lee hitting two in quick succession.
The sides twice exchanged points before Niland’s fifth effort left Clarinbridge 0-10 to 0-8 in front before Flynn set up Gardiner for a goal after 27 minutes to edge Tommy Larkins back in front.
The sides again twice exchanged points before Clarinbridge goalkeeper Cian Callanan produced a great save to deny Flynn, but Moran’s second point of the contest left Tommy Larkins 1-12 to 0-12 in front at the break.
Tommy Larkins extended the lead to six points within five minutes of the restart before Flynn had a goal effort from a 20-metre free saved by Callanan and Clarinbridge responded with three points in a row before Aaron Niland blasted home a penalty after David Lee was fouled to tie the game at 1-16 apiece going into the final quarter.
Two more points from Flynn and one from Galway goalkeeper Eanna Murphy after another free from Evan Niland left Tommy Larkins two in front heading into four minutes of injury time.
Kennedy’s third point and Evan Niland’s tenth tied the game but just when it seemed goalkeeper Murphy had won it with another monster free, Darragh Counihan was the Clarinbridge hero when he sent the game to extra-time with a point.
Tommy Larkins led by 2-24 to 1-22 after playing with the wind in the first period of extra-time with Ronan Murphy getting the goal and his twin brother Eanna landing his third point, while Gardiner tacked on another two.
Clarinbridge got the gap down to two points by the final minute of the second period with Evan Niland’s 15th point heading into three minutes of added time but they were unable to catch Tommy Larkins.
J Flynn 0-13 (0-9f, 0-1 sideline, 0-1 ’65), C Gardiner 1-3, E Murphy 0-3 (2f), R Murphy 1-0, C Slattery 0-2, A Moran 0-2, C Daniels, B Porter 0-1, C Flynn 0-1.
E Niland 0-15 (all frees), A Niland 1-2 (1-0 pen), M Kennedy 0-4, G Lee 0-3, D Lee 0-1, D Counihan 0-1.
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