AIB All-Ireland Club SHC Semi-Final

Na Fianna 0-17 Loughrea 0-16

By Stephen Barry at FBD Semple Stadium

A 64^th-minute winning point from AJ Murphy saw Na Fianna march on to their first-ever AIB All-Ireland Club SHC final after a scrappy semi-final victory over Loughrea.

The Dublin champions didn’t lead until the 57^th minute, but with 10 points from Colin Currie, they clung onto Loughrea’s coattails for long enough to slingshot ahead for a finish.

New Dublin manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin will have to double-job for another few weeks ahead of the novel final against Cork representatives Sarsfields.

Na Fianna had beaten the Laois, Wexford, and Offaly champions in the five weeks since Loughrea claimed their county title, but it was the Galway side, who seemed sharper for the first half in front of 2,604 fans.

They opened with a Tiernan Killeen point from the throw-in before Cullen Killeen’s one-two yielded another, with a Currie free sandwiched in between.

Kevin Burke’s catch led to a Na Fianna leveller from Murphy but Loughrea broke away with the next five without reply.

Darren Shaughnessy contributed a pair, Tiernan Killeen clipped two frees, and the hard-working Joe Mooney was fist-pumping when his shot split the posts.

The lead was 0-7 to 0-2 and they traded points from there to the break. Seán Currie stopped the bleeding with a score. Loughrea centre-back Shane Morgan launched two long-range frees either side of one from Colin Currie.

The error-strewn contest was briefly elevated by a few quickfire points in the closing minutes. Brian Ryan and Seán Currie found the target for Na Fianna. In between, Anthony Burns opened his account at the other end.

Dónal Burke had been fouled for Na Fianna’s first free but was otherwise quiet, with his opening shot in first-half stoppage time missing the posts.

It was 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time and Morgan’s third free reopened the five-point buffer on the resumption.

Na Fianna hadn’t yet put back-to-back scores together but perhaps encouraged by a Ciarán Stacey goal chance – even if his mishit effort was gathered by Gearóid Loughnane – the Dubs suddenly necklaced three in a row.

Colin Currie recovered from two missed frees to nail his next pair and Stacey also struck over.

After Ian Hanrahan interrupted their momentum, Currie tagged on two more while Stacey’s second goal opening was foiled by Loughnane.

A HawkEye-awarded point for substitute Jamie Ryan and scores from Burns and Tiernan Killeen kept Loughrea a step ahead, but they survived a close scare when Loughnane saved from Jack Meagher and Murphy volleyed the rebound over.

Na Fianna were cleaning up now and Colin Currie reeled off three on the spin to level for the first time in 45 minutes and then edge them into a first lead.

A Tiernan Killeen free levelled matters for a fourth time on the hour, but Stacey fed Murphy to be Na Fianna’s hero.

Scorers for Na Fianna: Colin Currie 0-10 (7fs, 1 65), AJ Murphy 0-3, Seán Currie 0-2, Brian Ryan, Ciarán Stacey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Loughrea: Tiernan Killeen 0-5 (3fs), Shane Morgan 0-3 (3fs), Anthony Burns, Darren Shaughnessy 0-2 each, Ian Hanrahan, Cullen Killeen, Joe Mooney, Jamie Ryan 0-1 each.

Na Fianna: Jonathan Tracey; Seán Burke, Conor McHugh, Kevin Burke; Paul O’Dea, Liam Rushe, Peter Feeney; Brian Ryan, Seán Currie; Jack Meagher, Dónal Burke, Ciarán Stacey; Colin Currie, AJ Murphy, Gavin King.

Subs: Diarmuid Clerkin for King (25), Tom Brennan for Clerkin (47), Shane Barrett for O’Dea (57), Donal Ryan for Meagher (59, temporary).

Loughrea: Gearóid Loughnane; Paul Hoban, Johnny Coen, Kieran Hanrahan; Shane O’Brien, Shane Morgan, Brian Keary; Ian Hanrahan, Cullen Killeen; Caimin Killeen, Tiernan Killeen, Joe Mooney; Anthony Burns, Neil Keary, Darren Shaughnessy.

Subs: Jamie Ryan for Keary (40), Dylan Shaughnessy for Darren Shaughnessy (56), Vince Morgan for Caimin Killeen (57).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork).

Important Match Day Information for Supporters attending the County Senior Hurling Final on Sunday.

Brooks Group Sponsored Senior Hurling Final: Cappataggle v Loughrea
Venue:  Kenny Park, Athenry  – Sunday 10^th November 2024 at 1.45pm

On behalf of Galway GAA and the Kenny Park Committee, we welcome all GAA Supporters to Kenny Park on Sunday for the Brooks Senior Hurling Final.

This game on Sunday will result in increased traffic in the town of Athenry and around Kenny Park, we urge all Supporters to arrive early, to avoid traffic congestion and potential delays entering the grounds.

This is an all-ticket game; no cash will be taken at the gate.  We urge all supporters to purchase their Tickets in advance of the game.
Tickets can be purchased online and in SuperValu and Centra stores.  Please have your tickets available for scanning as you approach the grounds. 

Turnstiles will be open for the Stand and Terraces at the Main Entrance and town side of the grounds.
Gates will open at 12.00pm.

The stand has Limited Capacity and supporters are advised that it will be filled on a first come first served basis.

There are Car Parks available in the following locations, Athenry Mart, Athenry Train Station, Clarin College and Presentation College, we encourage patrons to use these car parks and walk to/from Kenny Park.

There will also be road closures in operation around Kenny Park and we advise supporters to follow the guidelines of the Gardaí and Match Day Stewards.

Buy Match Tickets Online :

https://www.universe.com/events/brooks-senior-hurling-championship-final-cappataggle-v-loughrea-tickets-L2G5NZ

• Adult online tickets €20 – On the day €25 by Card only.
• Student/OAP’ online ticket €15 – On the day €20 by Card only. Students/OAP’s will be required to provide the relevant ID.
• U16s Free of Charge

Thank You for your co-operation and your support.