What's rare is beautiful. Cappataggle made history this afternoon in Athenry by defeating reigning All-Ireland champions St Thomas's 1-15 to 0-15.
There were wild scenes after Liam Gordon blew his full-time whistle. Cappy had never once reached a Galway SHC final: their obstacle in today's semifinal was the six-time reigning Galway champions and the last senior club hurling side to ascend the Hogan Stand steps.
If ever there was a meeting of blue bloods and upstarts, it was this. Cappataggle's frenetic win over Sarsfields in the quarterfinal was a declaration of intent, but toppling St Thomas's was a taller order.
According to the Galway GAA TV commentary team, heading into today's match, Thomas's had only lost 3 times in 48 Championship games during their six-year reign as Galway champions.
But seven points from young forward Liam Collins and a crucial 53rd minute goal from Oisin Finn gave Cappy the scores they needed.
Finn for the win?
What a goal to give Cappataggle the lead late on.
| @TheBrooks_Group SHC Semi Final @StThomassHC 0-14 @cappataggle 1-13
📺Stream now 👉https://t.co/yf2Yni2bq1@WiiStream | @Galway_GAA pic.twitter.com/rCTcYxgS4p— StreamSport.ie (@StreamsportI) October 26, 2024
Anchoring everything was 36-year-old All-Ireland winner James Skehill, who commanded the Cappy goalmouth and made save after save, especially in the first half.
But Thomas's nearly forced extra time with the last puck of the game, as an Eanna Burke shot rebounded off the butt of the goal. Even Skehill didn't seem to have much of a clue about that one.
👀👀 OFF THE POST
St Thomas' six years as Galway Champions is over, they almost levelled it with the last play!
| @TheBrooks_Group SHC Semi Final @StThomassHC 0-15 @cappataggle 1-15
📺Stream now 👉https://t.co/yf2Yni2bq1@WiiStream | @Galway_GAA pic.twitter.com/KTUIu3pbsE— StreamSport.ie (@StreamsportI) October 26, 2024
Cyril Farrell on Cappataggle's historic achievement
No one knows Galway hurling better than Cyril Farrell. On co-commentary duty on Galway GAA TV, Cyril Farrell put Cappy's achievement into context:
'This could be the upset of the decade. It's unbelievable, the shock of the last 10 years.'
"We have seen great champions being beaten, simple as that. They've done the six-in-a-row, going for seven. You couldn't see it coming at halftime, they were only two up. But the one thing Cappy have had going for them this year that we've seen in all their games, they've been scraping them. Coming late. Coming very, very strong. No one would begrudge them. You have to admire the full team. Skehill early on kept them in the game... It's a historic day for Cappataggle. It's a tough day on St Thomas's. This day was going to come."
It's not easy for clubs from small rural parishes to compete at the top table - this year former All-Ireland champions Kiltormer were relegated to junior - so Cappy's achievement today deserves celebration.
Loughrea defeated Clarinbridge in the other semifinal on Saturday to set up a fascinating final in two week's time.
