St. ThomasÕ hit new heights

Date Published: 19-Feb-2013

St. Thomas’ 0-15

Loughgiel Shamrocks 0-7

STEPHEN GLENNON IN CLONES

GALWAY champions St. Thomas’ took their game to a whole new level when they showed composure, backbone and succinct moments of genuine flair to oust reigning All-Ireland title holders Loughgiel Shamrocks in a compelling senior club semi-final replay in Clones on Saturday.

This may not have had the vast number of scores of the drawn game but it took little away from a contest that was simply fascinating in the manner in which the tactical battles – in particular, breaking down the opposition’s resolute defence – were being fought.

In the past, question marks had hung over the St. Thomas’ rearguard. Most of these questions had been answered in their victories over local rivals Gort and Loughrea in the county championship semi-final and final respectively, but they threatened to come to the fore, once again, when they conceded three goals in the drawn game against Loughgiel.

However, in Clones on Saturday, the maturity displayed by the likes of the Burke brothers – Cathal, Sean, Darragh and substitute Eanna – and the tigerish Sean Skehill was pivotal in holding Loughgiel Shamrocks to a single point from play over the 60 minutes. It really was a joy to behold.

In many respects, this was the performance – even more so than their county final victory or their recent offering in Parnell Park – that announced St. Thomas’ have arrived and a remark uttered by a knowledgeable hurling man that this outfit could be the ‘new Portumna’ certainly has merit. Of course, only victory over Leinster champions Kilcormac/Killoughey on St. Patrick’s Day will add any weight to this assertion.

While the defence must receive due praise, many of the plaudits must pass to speedy forward Bernard Burke who shot four of the most inspirational points you were likely to see on the day – all at times when they were needed.

Burke’s first effort arrived on nine minutes – after an opening period in which Loughgiel looked to blow Thomas’ away with an early barrage of goals. In all, the Antrim men had three goal opportunities – compared to Thomas’ one – in a frantic spell of top-drawer hurling and Burke’s point provided just the tonic to dilute Loughgiel’s early ambitions. Consequently, after 21 minutes, the Kilchreest/Peterswell side led 0-5 to 0-2.

Loughgiel had started the contest as they had finished the last with Liam Watson striking over a free on two minutes before corner forward Benny McCarry, who was left unmarked inside, blazed an effort wide 30 seconds later.

St. Thomas’, themselves, sought to gain a foothold – Shane Cooney had a goal effort charged down – but the early momentum was with Loughgiel and Shay Casey – denied by a Cathal Burke flick – and Watson spurned further goal opportunities on six and eight minutes.

As it was, midfielder James Regan had already cancelled Watson’s opener by the time Burke hit his first point on nine minutes and St. Thomas’ subsequently settled down to the task in hand. Further points from Kenneth Burke, his brother David and Conor Cooney (free) catapulted them into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead . . . Watson issuing the sole reply for Shamrocks.

However, by half-time, Loughgiel had reduced the arrears to a point, with Watson pointing two placed balls – after St. Thomas’ conceded some very cheap frees – and wing-forward Eddie McCloskey tallying a great score after a fine run.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.