The countdown is on for this weekend's All-Ireland Senior Club Finals at Croke Park, and excitement is building in Co Galway as St Brendan's of Loughrea prepare to face Ballygunner of Waterford in Sunday's hurling decider.
After their semi-final victory over Sleacht Néill of Derry in December, Loughrea are aiming to capture their first All-Ireland senior club title.
"The day is coming, the time is near. The men of Loughrea will show no fear. The 18th of January approaching fast. The Tommy Moore Cup, West at last."
These stirring lines open 'A Win for the Town’, a poem written by 6th class pupils at St Brendan’s Boys National School in Loughrea.
Loughrea’s only other appearance in the final back in 2007 saw the Galway side lose out to Kilkenny's Ballyhale Shamrocks.
Many members of the current Loughrea team are past pupils of St Brendan's, including the school’s current third- and fourth-class teacher, Joe Mooney.
A key part of Loughrea’s defence, for Joe, this weekend is deeply personal.
"2007 is a long time ago now. I remember I was here in the school when the lads were in the final that time and it's kind of a full circle moment now to be back here again, teaching now this time. You see all the flags and you see the lads bringing their hurls and helmets in every day and the colours and the hats are on. It's surreal," he said.
Beaten by Na Fianna by a single point in their 2024 semi-final, the Loughrea club was determined not to repeat history.
On 21 December last at Parnell Park, Tommy Kelly’s side overcame Sleacht Néill with a scoreline of 0-15 to 2-22, securing their place in Sunday's showdown.
Joe Mooney's pupils are excited at the prospect of their teacher and his club bringing home the Tommy Moore Cup.
"Really excited for it. They haven't been there for a long time, so I just hope they win," said one pupil. For some it will be their first ever experience of attending a game in Croke Park and while all agree Mr Mooney's team is going to win, there’s also consensus on what a win will mean for his students.
"Definitely no homework."
At St Raphael’s College, the connections also run deep. Deputy Principal John Hardiman explained: "I think 11 or 12 possibly of the starting team are past pupils of St Raphael's. The management team then... an awful lot of them, would have connections here in St Raphael's."
Students Rachel and Charlie Hanrahan have two brothers on the team, Kieran, and team captain, Ian Hanrahan.
Rachel says: "I'd say the two lads are buzzing to go, but they don't say a lot at home about what's going on. I’d say it's a lot of pressure, but sure I'd say they'll be fine and they'll stay cool and hopefully they get over the line and win."
For Charlie, watching his brothers on this journey with the Loughrea team is inspirational: "They’d be a motivator for me...playing hurling. It's massive...there's a lot of people going to the game and it's a good motivator for them, I suppose, because the whole town is backing them."
For Caitlin Morgan, whose brothers Vince and Shane are on the team, nerves are high: "Very proud, but my nerves I think I'll be more nervous than they are. The amount of training they put in is crazy for it, so hopefully it pays off."
A two-time All-Ireland winner with Galway in the 1980s and a proud lifetime member of Loughrea Hurling Club, Peter Murphy knows what a win on Sunday will mean for the players.
"This is the be all, end all for the club. This is what we all would love to see, the club win, and especially the lads, the panel of players. And for the history of the club alone ... for the town of Loughrea. It would be massive."
A former principal at St Raphael’s College in Loughrea, Cyril Farrell managed Galway to win three All-Ireland titles in the 1980s. He believes this Loughrea team will have extensive support from hurling communities right across the county and beyond.
"When you go outside the county, all the county comes behind you. You're representing the county as well as your own club ... and it's a big day in Croke Park because it means all the kids can go ... it's a day that will live forever in their memory. If you can win one, you'll never forget it."
As hurling fans anticipate a thrilling contest, one young pupil, Matthew, sums up the feeling in Loughrea: "We're only 9 or 10 and some people live their whole lives without seeing their club get to an All-Ireland final, so we're very lucky in Loughrea."
The 2025 AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Final takes place at Croke Park on Sunday 18 January with throw in at 1.30pm.
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