By DARREN KELLY

FOR either Cappataggle or Loughrea, winning just once could be enough on Sunday when they go head-to-head in the county senior hurling final (Kenny Park, 1.45pm).

It’s the first time in nine years that two sides starved of silverware have contested Galway’s biggest club day.  Sarsfields ended an 18-year famine in 2015 but needed a replay to break Craughwell hearts and end the latter’s chase for a first crown in 84 years.

Those omens favour Loughrea for this decider as despite being in 12 finals overall and regular championship favourites or dark horses, they are just 60 minutes away from only a third title, and first in 18 years (2006).

Tommy Kelly’s charges have overcome a host of injuries to go five wins from five, gradually restoring their panel to the full complement. Martin McManus is the only key absentee and they are strong favourites to carry the day having put six goals past Clarinbridge in two fixtures.

Cappataggle are in their first ever final. It’s uncharted waters for Steven Creaven’s players. Four semi-final appearances from 2017 to 2020 ended in failure before finally achieving a big breakthrough two weeks ago.

They ended the record equalling run of St. Thomas.’ But Galway’s dominant team of the last dozen years were also the last club to appear in a first final (2012). Before that were Portumna (1995), Abbeyknockmoy (1988) and Sarsfields (1980). Three of those four clubs won!

Cappataggle have shook up the hurling landscape this year. They didn’t impress in the group campaign with two narrow wins and a 17-point loss. However, they’ve found their groove in the knockout stages.

The winners could commence a golden period. But this Sunday is not about that. For Loughrea, it’s about finally getting over the line.  For Cappataggle, it’s delivering the fairytale ending on their biggest day.

While form wasn’t evident, there was an argument back in August that Cappataggle were best of the rest outside the perceived ‘Top Five.’ (St. Thomas’, Clarinbridge, Loughrea, Sarsfields and Turloughmore). But they didn’t start that way.

Cappataggle’s Michael Garvey, Ronan Garvey and Darragh Dolan battling for possession with St Thomas ‘

Pictured: David Burke and Damian McGlynn in the senior hurling semi-final. They face Loughrea in Sunday’s county final at Kenny Park.