St Thomas’ and Craughwell hold the aces in semi-finals

By Eanna O’Reilly

THIS weekend sees the penultimate round of the 2021 senior hurling championship take place, with the last four providing two clashes of neighbouring clubs. Defending champions St. Thomas’ will have to get past the challenge of Gort on Sunday in order to keep their four in a row quest on track, while a young Clarinbridge side take on Craughwell in an equally intriguing semi-final on Saturday.

Craughwell are looking to reach their first senior final since 2015, when they were defeated by Sarsfields after a replay. Clarinbridge last appeared in the final of the senior championship ten years ago, in 2011, when they were defeated by Gort.

St. Thomas’ are looking to qualify for their sixth county final in ten years. Gort meanwhile, are seeking their first county final appearance since 2017  when they suffered a defeat to Liam Mellows.

Clarinbridge v Craughwell

Saturday, Kenny Park, 2pm

Having been demoted to senior B last season, Jarlath Niland’s Clarinbridge side reacted in the best way possible by winning immediate promotion back to the top division. The Bridge were impressive in recording group wins over Mullagh, Ardrahan and Kilnadeema / Leitrim, before showing their full potential in the knockout stages.

They overcame a much-fancied Loughrea side, before defeating another senior A team in the quarter final, with a five-point win over Tommy Larkins.

Craughwell will undoubtedly provide them with their biggest challenge of the year so far, but Clarinbridge have very few weaknesses in their side. Evan Niland is always a potential match winner, while the likes of Patrick Foley, Seán Kilduff, TJ Brennan, Mikey Daly, Mark Kennedy, and Gavin Lee will be central to their efforts. So too, will full forward Cian Salmon, who was looking forward to the occasion on Saturday.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.