Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Coiste Chontae na Gaillimhe SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 2020 Sunday 4th October 2020. Kenny Park, Athenry. KPW Print Management, Ballinasloe. 090 9642297 Turloch Naoimh v Mór Thomais Reiteoir: Alan Kelly Message From The Sponsors “All at Brooks are thrilled to be associated with Galway GAA. We have had an enduring relationship over the years and are delighted to have had the opportunity in recent years to extend our involvement with Galway Hurling with the sponsorship of the Minor Club Championship in 2019 progressing to sponsoring the Minor, Intermediate and Senior Club Hurling Championships in 2020. The importance of sport is evident to all, particularly in this year of Covid. To have helped fund the streaming of the games to the GAA public, at home and abroad, is particularly special. The organisation for and the quality of the games, the streaming, the commentary and media coverage is a credit to all involved. Congratulations to all and thank you. Liam Brady Branch Manager, Brooks Galway. 2 Galway Senior Hurling Finals 2020 Galway Senior Hurling Finals 2020 3 Fáilte ón Cathaoirleach On behalf of Galway Hurling Committee and Galway To all our referees and match officials, who have the GAA we extend a warm welcome to all patrons to most difficult jobs of all, we say a big thank you for Kenny Park, Athenry for the clash of St. Thomas’ your efforts this year. Alan Kelly is the man in charge and Turloughmore. This is a County final day with a today ably assisted by linesmen Conor Quinlan and difference given the challenging circumstances we Seamus Moran. We wish Alan, his team of umpires have all faced this year. If anything, this has enhanced and officials the very best of luck today. the importance of a very special occasion for the This year we were delighted to see Brooks extending players, officials and clubs involved. It is fair to say the their sponsorship of club hurling in Galway having best two teams have made it to the final following previously sponsored our Minor competition. To have a fantastic championship that gave us no shortage Brooks commit to sponsoring the Senior, Intermediate of quality, excitement, and drama. With St. Thomas’ and Minor championships for the next three years seeking to join an elite club of 3 in a row champions, is a great endorsement of club hurling in Galway. Turloughmore are striving to bridge a 35-year gap Their engagement and support throughout the year since they last secured this elusive title. It will truly be has been fantastic and we would like to thank Mark a momentous achievement whatever the outcome Lohan, Liam Brady and the team in Galway for this. and we wish both clubs the best of luck today. In a year of limited attendances, the importance of Under normal circumstances we would have the our local media has become very apparent. Galway pleasure of honouring the Sarsfields team that Bay FM, Connacht Tribune, Tuam Herald and Raidió regained the Tom Callanan Cup in 1995. While we na Gaeltachta are fantastic promoters of our games. cannot do so in person today, we pay tribute to a great We want to thank them for their continued coverage team and congratulate them, their families and the and support of all our competitions no matter what Sarsfields club on their achievement twenty-five years the level and ensure it is never taken for granted. The ago which added to an era of unprecedented success. streaming of our games has been a lifeline for those While today is rightly about St. Thomas’ and who could not attend this year’s games. It has been Turloughmore, the completion of our Senior Hurling a fantastic initiative and we are delighted to have Championship is testament to the trojan work of GAA brought over 60 matches across hurling and football members in every club in Galway. We want to take this to people in Galway and to many more across the opportunity to pay tribute to all clubs and particularly world. Subscriptions will surpass 30,000 this weekend club officers for their massive contribution, not just to highlighting the appetite for Galway club action. the GAA in these times but also to their communities Again, we want to say a special thanks to Galway Bay during the hardest times of the Covid 19 pandemic. I FM for supporting this initiative and to Nemeton for would like to thank all club officers for their support their brilliant work in covering so many matches and and positive engagement throughout the year in to such a high standard. getting our calendar of games played to date. Lastly, I want to acknowledge the contribution of We are almost there with our Intermediate, Junior and the Hurling Committee, Coiste Iomána na nÓg and Minor competitions and to have gotten to this point Galway GAA officials who worked extremely hard we are indebted to the people that make it happen. throughout the year to ensure we are here today to We want to acknowledge the often-underappreciated see the completion of our flagship competition and work that goes into our pitches and facilities so we at the finishing point for many can play our games. We thank our pitch committees, more. We wish all the players, stewards and gate people for facilitating our matches, management, club officers and for ensuring the highest safety standards and we also supporters the very best of luck thank patrons for their conduct and understanding today and hope you enjoy the so far this year when attending games. Today sees occasion. the return of the County final to Kenny Park, Athenry and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mise le meas, Gerry Larkin, Malachy Hanley and the Kenny Park Pitch Committee for the preparation that went into Pól Beilliú today and for having the ground in such immaculate condition. 2 Galway Senior Hurling Finals 2020 Galway Senior Hurling Finals 2020 3 Senior Hurling Championship Final Preview By Cian O’Connell, GAA.ie Lally’s panel were all important factors at Pearse Stadium. Such grit and determination remains part of the Thomas’ fabric. Even when Cappataggle were posing the most awkward questions, Thomas’ were able to summon the required answers. It is why the drive for a three in a row continues. Not that Thomas’ are dwelling on that aspect, they have adopted a sensible and pragmatic approach throughout the campaign. For Turloughmore reaching a first decider since 1990 represents a clear sign of progress. Throughout the past decade sterling work with underage teams hinted at a bright future in the senior arena. That is beginning to become evident, Joe Hession, Franny Forde, and Barry Cullinane have occupied central roles in that journey. The fact that the Turlough intermediates advanced to the penultimate stage too captures just how much development is taking place. Young hurlers are being nurtured, but Hession So much has happened since July 24. That wet is simply thrilled that these emerging players are Friday evening Kenny Park provided the backdrop being exposed to high level knockout fixtures. for the first game in the 2020 Brooks Galway Titles have been collected in the juvenile and Senior Hurling Championship when Tommie Under 21 ranks, but the learning continues Larkins defeated Loughrea. according to Hession. It supplied a reminder of how important sport “Turlough haven’t played in a lot of knockout is and it started the hurling journey in the west. games over the past 10 years,” Hession states. Fittingly, the famous Athenry venue hosts the “I’d say probably five or so. That experience, you last match of the competition: what an eagerly have to gain it. Winning underage and being anticipated contest it is too. successful is a help, but it is only part of the Since emerging on to the winning stage in 2012, process. St Thomas’ have cemented their status as serial “It is getting to the senior knockout games which contenders Corribside. Any team overcoming is key for the development of these young lads.” Thomas’ has earned the victory. Presently the most demanding assignment in the Thomas’ willpower was evident from the outset Galway game is spending an hour in the company this year too. Castlegar, stitched together in of a decorated St Thomas’ team. splendid fashion by Fergal Lynch and Dinny Cahill, were primed for their opener with Thomas’. Three of the last four Galway Championships have been secured by Thomas’. A significant standard At one stage in the opening period Thomas’ has been set, but an emerging Turlough will relish trailed Cashel by 10 points, but they still found this opportunity also. a way to survive, and subsequently thrive. When referee Alan Kelly commences this contest There were so many moments of substance a lively battle awaits. A total of 72 days after it all and style. David Burke’s flicks, Conor Cooney’s started, this eagerly anticipated decider could finishing, and the increasing depth of Kevin go the distance. 4 Galway Senior Hurling Finals 2020 Galway Senior Hurling Finals 2020 5 Kenny Park GAA Grounds. Covid 19 Health and Safety Procedures Co Hurling Final. This is a Covid 19 Health and Safety statement on behalf of the Kenny Park GAA Grounds Committee. • Patrons are asked to maintain at least one metre distance between yourselves and others. • At the end of the Game, patrons present are asked to refrain from entering the pitch area. • The presentation of the Tom Callanan Cup will be made on the pitch by Galway Hurling Committee Chairman Paul Bellew, in the presence of Championship Sponsors Brooks, to the winning captain.