St Thomas’ left to regret poor shooting in falling to Borrisoleigh

Borrisoleigh 1-21

St Thomas’ 1-14

THE impression that the overall standard of club hurling in Galway has been in decline for a few years was reinforced in Sunday’s high-quality All-Ireland senior semi-final at the Limerick Gaelic Grounds.

Not alone did county champions St Thomas’ stumble to a slightly surprising defeat to a resurgent Borrisoleigh of Tipperary, their eclipse means that the gap back to the last Galway team to capture the Tommy Moore Cup will now stretch to at least seven years.

Considering that this championship used to be such a fertile hunting ground for Galway standard bearers since Kiltormer’s title triumph in late spring of 1992 – 11 more All-Irelands followed over the next 22 years – the county is currently going through a really barren period at this level.

Having been routed by 17 points in last year’s final by a ruthless Ballyhale, St Thomas’ had admirably regrouped to subsequently retain their Galway title eight months later, but Sunday’s seven-point loss will be a major disappointment to Kevin Lally’s charges, especially as they had the chances to carry the day.

A total of 15 wides – including four consecutive dispiriting ones at a critical juncture of the second-half – really conspired against a St Thomas’ outfit which brought no shortage of intent or industry to the battleground.

In an absorbing tussle, the Galway title holders still held every chance when they regained the lead after a Darragh Burke free in the 41st minute, but the wides began to stack up and from there to the finish, they were heavily outscored by 1-8 to 0-3.

There is no arguing with that statistic and while the final scoreline seriously flattered Borrisoleigh, the reality is that they were the ones who were far more economical and composed down the home stretch in front of a decent crowd of 4,192.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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