Loughrea storm into All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final after 19-year wait

Loughrea storm into All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final after 19-year wait

Loughrea have booked their place in the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Final for the first time since 2007 after a powerful 2-22 to 0-15 win over Sleacht Neill at Parnell Park on Sunday, 21 December 2025. The goals came from Anthony Burns and Vince Morgan, helping Loughrea Hurling Club pull away in a dominant second half.

At half-time, Loughrea held a narrow two‑point lead, but the game was still wide open. Sleacht Neill, playing in their sixth attempt at reaching a final, fought hard to stay level and even drew the match twice before Loughrea’s first goal arrived. That goal came when a loose ball from a puck-out fell to Anthony Burns, who reacted quickest and blasted it into the net. Loughrea led 1‑9 to 0‑10 at the break but were frustrated by seven wides.

Early in the second half, Loughrea added more wides, and with several players on yellow cards, Sleacht Neill sensed an opportunity. However, Loughrea responded brilliantly. Points from Burns, Tiernan Killeen and Martin McManus set the stage for the turning point: Vince Morgan’s superb 37th‑minute goal, a powerful strike across the goalkeeper into the far corner. From there, Loughrea surged ahead, scoring nine points in a row in the final quarter. Substitute Neil Keary made a strong impact with three points, strengthening his case for a starting place in the final.

Despite the impressive win, the match ended on a disappointing note for Loughrea when midfielder Cullen Killeen received a straight red card in the 62nd minute. He had earlier been named “Man of the Match,” but now looks set to miss the All-Ireland final on January 17/18 at Croke Park. However, Loughrea manager Tommy Kelly has confirmed the club will be appealing this ruling.

Loughrea will now take on Ballygunner in the All-Ireland final. Ballygunner earned their place by beating St Martin’s of Wexford 0‑19 to 0‑10 in Thurles, sending the Waterford champions back to the final for the first time since 2022.

Even though Loughrea scored an impressive 2‑22, they will still want to sharpen their shooting after hitting 15 wides in the semi-final

Key Scorers
Loughrea scorers were: Tiernan Killeen 0‑6 (0‑4f); Anthony Burns 1‑1; Vince Morgan 1‑1; Jamie Ryan 0‑3 (0‑1 s/l); Neil Keary 0‑3; Caimin Killeen 0‑2; Martin McManus 0‑2; Shane Morgan 0‑2 (2f); Kieran Hanrahan 0‑1 and Cullen Killeen 0‑1.

Sleacht Neill corers were: Shea Cassidy 0‑8 (0‑7f); Chrissy McKaigue 0‑2; Ruairi Ó Mianáin 0‑2; Conor McAllister 0‑1; Mark McGuigan 0‑1 and Eamon Cassidy 0‑1.

Loughrea team were: Gearoid O’Donoghue; Paul Hoban, Johnny Coen, Joe Mooney; Shane Morgan, Kieran Hanrahan, Brian Keary; Ian Hanrahan, Cullen Killeen; Caimin Killeen, Tiernan Killeen, Jamie Ryan; Anthony Burns, Vince Morgan, Martin McManus. Subs: Neil Keary for McManus 45, Alan Kelly for Ian Hanrahan 53, Gavin Maher for Brian Keary 57, Luke McInerney for Ryan 58, Mikey Murray for Vince Morgan 60.

Sleacht Neill team were: Oisin O’Doherty; Conor McAllister, Paul McNeill, Fionn McEldowney; Ruairi O Mianain, Meehaul McGrath, Shane McGuigan; Cathal O Mianain, Cormac O’Doherty; Mark McGuigan, Se McGuigan, Brendan Rogers; Eamon Cassidy, Chrissy McKaigue, Shea Cassidy. Subs: Conor Coyle for Cathal O Mianain 19-22 blood, Coyle for Cathal O Mianain 39, Jerome McGuigan for Se McGuigan 39, Peter McCullagh for Mark McGuigan 55, Gerald Bradley for Shea Cassidy 55.

Referee was Johnny Murphy (Limerick).

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