Tiernan Killeen on Loughrea’s recipe for success: Experience, unity and the best manager he’s ever had

Killeen said whoever Loughrea face in the All-Ireland semi-final is in for an 'unbelievable battle' but they won't be thinking much about that game over the next week

Tiernan Killeen on Loughrea manager Tommy Kelly: 'He is the best manager I have ever dealt with. I have never come across a man like him again. I hope he never stops.' Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

An obvious comfort for champions attempting to defend their crown is the reassuring reality: we’ve been here before. For Loughrea and Tiernan Killeen, that is one part of a winning recipe.

The Galway hurler scored five points from play as his club won the Tom Callanan Cup for the third consecutive time. They beat Tommy Larkin’s, appearing in their first final since 1971, by a single point in Pearse Stadium.

“Well, I suppose being in a couple of finals, you know that you just need to be there in the last ten minutes,” said Killeen.

“Luckily we stayed in it and stayed fighting. We knew if we could keep the scoreboard ticking, we might get our chance. It worked for us, which is great.

“Every final is close. We won the first year by two points and the last two years by a point. They are all really tight. That is the nature of the Galway championship. There is nothing between the top teams.”

Killeen landed the winner deep in injury time after his goalkeeper Gearoid Loughnane picked him out with a terrific pass.

“It was far from a training-ground move now! I was lucky that I fell free at the last minute, but the composure of Gearoid to find me with the ball and look, I was in the right position at the right time. Plenty of times... I'd not be known as a shooter. I've missed plenty. Thankfully, that one went over.” 

How did he end up in space?

“Probably because I was so tired,” he replied with a smile. “I wasn't able to track back; it is easier to stay up.” 

Another vital component in this stretch of dominance is their manager. Tommy Kelly had an impressive CV before he returned to his own club, having worked with Clare, Dublin and Cuala previously. But he never left Loughrea.

“He is the best manager I have ever dealt with. I have never come across a man like him again. I hope he never stops, to be honest. I hope he is ready to go again every year. Look at the group he has got together. We are so close; we are best friends. We are very fortunate with the group of players we have.

“He is just like a father to all of us. I've had him since I was 10 or 11 years of age; I'm 23 now. I have had him for quite a long time. He knows how to gel the older lads with the younger lads. He is just a great man. He loves Loughrea. He loves hurling in Loughrea and winning with Loughrea. We are just lucky to have him.”

Now there is a new frontier. In 2024, they lost to eventual champions Na Fianna in the All-Ireland semi-final by a point. Ballygunner won by six in last January’s All-Ireland final.

“We got a taste of it the last two years and a taste of Croke Park with the club last year which was unbelievable. Look, we know whoever we meet down the line it is going to be an unbelievable battle. But I can promise you we won't be thinking about that for the next week, that is for sure.”