Galway SHC: Loughrea and Clarinbridge favourites for final showdown

Craughwell, Tommy Larkins bid to upset odds in Kenny Park clashes

SEMI-FINAL weekend in the Forvis Mazars Galway Senior Hurling Championship has a little bit of everything throw in from holders Loughrea gunning for a three in-a-row, to Clarinbridge attempting to deliver on undoubted potential, to Craughwell and Tommy Larkins aiming to end lengthy droughts since their last success.

Last season's floodlit Saturday evening double-header in Pearse Stadium wasn't well received among the hurling public, and it's back to Kenny Park this time with matches split between Saturday and Sunday rather than being paired in a bumper double-header.

Clarinbridge and Tommy Larkins renew acquaintances on Saturday afternoon. Preceding it will be the eagerly awaited relegation final replay between Moycullen and Cappataggle (throw-in: 1.45pm). Loughrea and Craughwell take centre-stage on Sunday with the Galway Junior A decider between Tommy Larkins and Turloughmore the curtain-raiser in Athenry (1pm).

CLARINBRIDGE V TOMMY LARKINS

KENNY PARK - SAT 3.30PM

CLARINBRIDGE are firm favourites to reach a first final since 2021 up against a Tommy Larkins outfit aiming to bridge a 55-year gap that dates all the way back to their sole county title success. It's a return to the semi-final stage for the Woodford-Ballinakill outfit following an absence of 44 years and after smashing one glass ceiling in breaking their quarter-final hoodoo, they are faced with another against a 'Bridge side that has consistently had their number. The clubs meet in a fourth knockout tie in six years and Larkins will be hoping to avenge defeats to Clarinbridge by 1-17 to 1-12 in 2021, 3-12 to 0-15 in '22, and 0-15 to 0-10 in '24.

Clarinbridge had it all their way against Gort last time out with goals from Mark Kennedy, David Lee, Aaron Niland and Shane Bannon the headline scores in a devastating opening half that led to a 19-point victory. Cathal Coen's side never lost control on a day when captain Evan Niland and Gavin Lee hit 12 points combined. Chris Callanan kept his line intact and Mikey Fallon, Phelim McCann and Joshua Ryan impressed in defence. The fit-again Sean Murphy got a full hour of competitive action under his belt in the recent drawn U-20 A final with Castlegar.

Curbing then influence of Jason Flynn will be front and centre of the 'Bridge's gameplan this weekend. Despite being hampered by injury, the 2017 All-Ireland medal holder provided the cutting edge with a personal tally of 3-8, 2-7 from placed balls, as a second half Larkins surge proved too much for Turloughmore in the last eight. Cian Daniels powered in that tie during the second half, while Colm Flynn, Cathal Slattery, Conor Hanley and sub Ben Sheil came up with crucial scores. They'll need more of the same along with big contributions from other leading lights in the Murphys, Eanna and Ronan, Conor Gardiner and Kein McHugo. Though the Niall Kelly-managed and Johnny Kelly-coached side come in with confidence levels soaring, Clarinbridge look better positioned to continue their strong recent record in the fixture.

VERDICT: CLARINBRIDGE

LOUGHREA V CRAUGHWELL

KENNY PARK - SUN 3PM

BALLYGUNNER, Na Fianna, Tommy Larkins and Craughwell are the only teams to defeat Loughrea in championship hurling since the start of 2024. The Leen cousins, Tiarnán and Ciarán, were the inspiration with 1-17 combined in that shock 3-23 to 2-22 group stage victory for Craughwell back in August 2025. It was one that 'The Town' learned and bounced back from impressively en route to retaining the Tom Callanan Cup for the very first time.

Loughrea appear to be rounding into ominous form again if their quarter-final dismissal of Athenry is anything to go by. Kieran Hanrahan, Shane Morgan and Anthony Burns headed up their absentee list for that tie, and it remains to be seen if the enforced withdrawals of Darren and Jack Shaughnessy during the game will impact their availability this weekend. The former, in particular, has been in very sharp form of late. In a more positive development, Cullen Killeen entered the fray in the second half.

Goals from Vince Morgan and Martin McManus were pivotal against Athenry, while Paul Hoban did a terrific job up against Young Hurler of the Year favourite Jason Rabbitte. Tiernan Killeen was successfully redeployed to centre-back, underlining the depth of options and versatility within Tommy Kelly's panel.

Curtailing another of Galway's All-Star nominees will top Loughrea's 'to do' list this weekend after Tom Monaghan struck nine points from play - and could afford to hit five wides - in Craughwell's victory over Sarsfields last time out. Adrian Prendergast bagged their goal and free-taker Ciarán Leen chipped in with a nine-point haul. Despite losing experienced full-back Mark Horan early on, their defence impressed with Ger O’Halloran, Alan Callanan and Ryan Howley playing starring roles. 'Keeper Stephen O'Halloran is having a terrific championship and is joint captain of the side with the experienced Jamie Ryan.

It's back-to-back semi-final appearances for Craughwell under Ian Daniels and though they're primed for a stronger showing than last year's heavy loss to St. Thomas', the odds strongly favour the reigning champions.

VERDICT: LOUGHREA