St Thomas 1-16 Gort 1-15: A superb goal from county minor Shane Cooney saw St Thomas qualify for their first ever Galway SHC final when they ousted holders Gort in a replay at Athenry yesterday.

St Thomas had edged a point in front from Galway senior star James Regan when Cooney burst through to blast into the top right corner.

But Gort fought back and after Gerry Quinn fired a 20-metre free to the net in the second minute of stoppage time, they almost snatched it at the death but another Quinn free was deflected over the bar in a crowded goalmouth.

All-Star David Burke was superb for St Thomas and helped them race into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes but Quinn’s accuracy helped Gort come back and the sides were level 0-8 each at the interval.

Gort hit three points after the restart but St Thomas again fought back and a couple of frees from another Galway player, Conor Cooney, saw the sides level at 0-12 each going into the final quarter. Cooney’s wonder goal, which was set up by another minor and substitute Eanna Burke, sets up a county final in two weeks against another neighbouring club, Loughrea.