Tommy Larkins 1-24

St. Thomas’ 0-19

By DARREN KELLY AT DUGGAN PARK

AND just like that, the Galway senior hurling championship was blown wide open last Sunday as Tommy Larkins outplayed and stunned  reigning All-Ireland champions St. Thomas’ in this second round fixture.

It was the first win for the Woodford/Ballinakill outfit over their opponents in 10 years, when Eamon Hayes and Stephen Page struck goals in a 2-15 to 0-19 victory. And after fighting relegation in 2023, Tommy Larkins are now guaranteed knockout action this term.

St. Thomas’ made many uncharacteristic errors, struggled with puck outs, couldn’t find the energy generated by Larkins.  And then in the closing moments, they split between panicking and then lacking urgency as the champions suffered a first domestic reversal in two years.

While others will sit up and take notice, many should still be forewarned. St. Thomas’ lost to Turloughmore by 15 points in 2022 but still won a fifth consecutive Tom Callanan Cup two months later.

The happiest club with this result was Gort. Following their Friday night defeat to Killimordaly, only a Tommy Larkins win would keep them in the championship. They now must overcome their neighbours to prolong that involvement beyond two weeks but at least they have a chance.

St. Thomas’ had John Headd suspended but James Regan returned. And Conor Cooney was back in the starting line-up instead of Bernard Burke, while Evan Brady reverted from corner forward to wing back.

Kenneth Burke’s team had the wind in the first half but Larkins laid down a marker as Conor Slattery set up Ronan Murphy for their opener. Murphy began at wing back for the injured Darren Duggan but gradually pushed forward to devastating effect in the inside line.

Pictured: Cian Daniels of Tommy Larkins has first run on St Thomas’ Conor Cooney during Sunday’s Senior A Championship battle at Duggan Park. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.