Tommy Larkins shock champions Loughrea

By Darren Kelly

TOMMY LARKINS produced another stunning result in their recent record against county champions on Saturday as three second half goals delivered a shock five-point victory over holders Loughrea.

After beating reigning All-Ireland champions St. Thomas’ in 2024, two Jason Flynn goals turned this contest before Cian Daniels landed the knockout blow. Add in Ronan Murphy’s effective sweeping and Kevin McHugo’s final quarter surge, Niall Kelly’s side were deserving winners.

Tommy Kelly’s Loughrea were without Kieran Hanrahan and Anthony Burns from last year’s starting final team and lost Tiernan Kileen by half-time. But after building up a four-point advantage, they couldn’t match their opponents’ acceleration once Flynn found the net.

Tight first half

Conor Gardiner sent over two Tommy Larkins scores by the third minute before Loughrea hit back. Brian Keary and Killeen split the posts either side of two superb points from captain Ian Hanrahan.

They were level again by the 15th minute as three Flynn frees against one Caimin Kileen white flag left it at 0-5 apiece. Johnny Coen found the target from distance for Loughrea before Flynn again, thanks to Daniels drawing a foul, made it 0-6 apiece on 25 minutes.

Loughrea were guilty of seven first half wides and Jamie Ryan took over as their talisman, sending over two placed balls, including a 65, before adding one from play. A long-range shot from Shane Morgan gave the four-time champions a four-point cushion. But in warm conditions, a stiff breeze towards the town goal was in their favour.

However, they only led 0-12 to 0-10 at half-time. Gardiner and Flynn (two) brought the difference back before Joe Mooney and Ryan tallied for Loughrea. Flynn left it a two-point ball game.

Loughrea extended that margin by the 36th minute through two more Ryan points. Tommy Larkins were creating chances, but four early wides left them in trouble as the momentum and composure was with the boys in blue.

Jason Flynn heroics

Then everything changed on 38 minutes when Flynn stood over a free and the former county star drove the sliotar into the net. A Daniels point 60 seconds later levelled, before Ryan put Loughrea back in front. Ben Shiel’s equaliser commenced Larkins’ decisive scoring spree.

On the quarter hour, Flynn repeated the trick again, firing a 20-metre free into the net for his side's second goal. McHugo added three white flags from distance to make it 2-15 to 0-15.

Loughrea were thrown a lifeline when Sean Sweeney, Darren Shaughnessy and Cullen Killeen combined to win a penalty which Coen converted on 55 minutes. And after McHugo and Caimin Killeen traded white flags, only three points separated them.

Any comeback hopes ended on 57 minutes when Éanna Murphy’s delivery deflected behind the defence and Daniels was perfectly placed to strike Larkins’ third goal. Keary got Loughrea’s final point, but another major proved elusive thanks to resilient defending from the victors.