Gaels won’t be doubting Thomas’ in this decider
St Thomas’ (Gal) v O’loughlin Gaels (Kk)
Tomorrow, Croke Park, 1.30pm (Live TG4)
A KILKENNY club seeking to join the pantheon of All-ireland winning clubs meets a Galway side looking to prove they’re no one hit wonders.
In tomorrow’s All-ireland club hurling final at Croke Park, O’loughlin Gaels wouldn’t mind the one hit wonder role as they look to atone for their 2011 All-ireland final defeat by Galway side Clarinbridge.
But for Galway’s St Thomas’ this is about finishing it out again.
One All-ireland victory – the 2013 decider win over
Offaly’s Kilcormackilloughey – doesn’t feel like a lot for a side that has dominated Galway hurling over the past decade and last autumn landed a county six-in-a-row.
Two years ago St Thomas’ brought war to club kingpins Ballyhale Shamrocks and had them beaten until TJ Reid’s (inset) late goal broke their hearts.
Last year they lost out to Dunloy in the All-ireland semis at Croke Park.
This time round they took that big scalp they crave as they upset 2022 All-ireland champions Ballygunner in the All-ireland semi-final.
They brought war to the stage with plenty of physicality on and off the ball as they emerged victorious after extratime and penalties.
If St Thomas’ bring similar levels to Croke Park tomorrow, it’s hard to see them being beaten.
O’loughlin’s could easily have lost to Cushendall in the All-ireland semifinal.
They just about edged out Na
Fianna in the Leinster final and it took a last-gasp Paddy Deegan point to take out Ballyhale Shamrocks in the Kilkenny decider.
It’s St Thomas’ third final appearance after a 2019 decider hammering by Ballyhale.
Win and they’ll join fellow Galway side Sarsfields on two All-ireland titles – two behind Portumna and one behind Athenry.
They’ll also move ahead of Galway’s one time winners – Castlegar,
Kiltormer and Clarinbridge.
For O’loughlin’s it’s just about getting onto that roll of honour and having their name up there alongside the other 27 winners.