Sleacht Néill 0-10 Loughrea 1-09 LIVE: Emmetts one behind Loughrea after an entertaining first half
Ulster and Derry victors Sleacht Néill take on Galway’s Loughrea in a bid to secure a first-ever All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling final slot.This will be the sixth time that the Emmetts will try to make it past another provincial representative, with the latest attempt ending in defeat last year against Sarsfields from Cork.Sleacht Néill will be well-rested and trained for their semi-final, having last played on November 29 in the Ulster final, where they came out on top against St John’s at the Athletic Grounds.Read more:However, Loughrea will be taking to the field competitively for the first time since November 1, when they edged past St Thomas’ by a single point in the Galway Senior Hurling Final.The Galway champions have represented Connacht in the All-Ireland series since the provincial senior hurling championship was abolished due to a lack of competition for the Galway clubs, with the last outright Connacht champions being Portumna in 2007.Of the 38 championships, the title went outside Galway just three times, with Roscommon clubs winning on all three ocassions. (one title being a walkover).The winner of this tie will face either the Leinster champions, St Martin’s of Wexford, or the Munster champions, Ballygunner of Waterford, in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Club Championship final in Croke Park in the new year.
