St Thomas’ claim their reward at last

Date Published: 06-Nov-2008

WHAT a cracking game this was as St. Thomas’ achieved glorious redemption for their heartbreaking defeat in last year’s final, but not before being put to the pin of their collar by a hugely determined and spirited Athenry side in an excellent county minor hurling decider at Pearse Stadium on Sunday.

The final scoreline does scant justice to the brave efforts of an Athenry side who found themselves just one point down with nine minutes to play, only to be rocked by two late goals from a team who had squandered a late six point lead 12 months ago – before losing to Turloughmore in a replayed final.

This game was supposed to be all about the realisation of a dream for St. Thomas’, and they duly delivered the club’s first ‘A’ title at the grade, but full credit must go to a lively Athenry team who – a bit like the Gort seniors – seemed to come out of nowhere this year.

Billy Caulfield’s talented youngsters should be holding their heads high this week and, if they can learn from the experience, could yet go on to emulate their rivals’ achievement by winning a final a year after coming so close against the odds. With nine of their starting side U-18 again next year, the
blueprint for success is certainly in place.

But this St. Thomas’ team has been through the mill and arrived at the Salthill venue as firm favourites, given that they had county minors David Burke, Donal Cooney, James Regan, and Bernard Burke in their ranks, young men who had experienced utter heartbreak again when Kilkenny…