There's nowhere to hide on the Galway hurling landscape. This is one of the most competitive terrains in the country. Only the strongest will survive. Though, obviously it's not going to be easy, Tommy Larkins are determined to establish themselves as a senior force. They've won a second county intermediate title in three years and their brave showing in the All-Ireland club series augurs well for their immediate prospects. South Galway club Tommy Larkins had a brief flirtation with senior hurling in 2006. However, it all ended in tears when they suffered instant demotion back to the middle grade. Just over a year later, they are preparing to participate in the nation's most competitive SHC once more - with the added experience of having played in an All-Ireland final! A second Connacht intermediate championship success in three years preceded another brave attack on the All-Ireland series. Following a magnificent dethronement of the holders Robert Emmets, Clare and Munster champions Clonlara were beaten at the semi-final stage as Tommy Larkins enjoyed the most incredible run in their 40-year history. Unfortunately, the dream was denied by Westmeath senior champions Clonkill in the All-Ireland final but Tommy Larkins can take many positives from their run outside the county. Having captured a second county IHC in three years with a super 0-13 to 0-10 defeat of Padraig Pearses at Duggan Park in Ballinasloe in late October, Larkins added a Connacht club title and then ousted defending champions Robert Emmets from the All-Ireland race with a tremendous victory in Ruislip. Mickey Fahy's second-half goal proved decisive as Tommy Larkins beat Clonlara by 1-11 to 0-11 in a riveting All-Ireland IHC club semi-final at Nenagh on Sunday January 27. The Galway and Connacht champions - beaten by eventual winner Dicksboro at the same stage two years earlier - started brightly with the wind at their backs and had five early points on the board from Declan Garvey (2), Eamonn Hayes (2) and Kevin Hooban. The Clare champions had levelled by the interval thanks to unanswered scores from Tomas O'Donovan, Darach Honan and Cormac O'Donovan but Clonlara were bitterly disappointed when Tommy Lynch had a 36th-minute goal ruled out and their grief was compounded when Fahy slammed the sliothar to the net 16 minutes later. That score established a four-point margin and the Galway club never looked back. When it comes to reaching two All-Ireland club championship semi-finals in three years, the likes of Crossmaglen and Nemo Rangers spring to mind - but not too many would think of Galway hurling outfit Tommy Larkins. Yet that's precisely what the inspired Larkins have done after claiming county crowns in the middle tier in 2005 and again in 2007. At the second attempt they progressed to the national decider, losing by 3-15 to 2-14 at Croke Park on Saturday evening, February 9. Hogan Stand went west and caught up with proud club chairman Eamonn Whelan, who provided an insight into the excitement in the Woodford/Ballinakill air as the All-Ireland onslaught gathered momentum. The club serves both parishes and was formed in 1968 to do so. Prior to that, hurling had been played in the two parishes under a number of different names, but it wasn't until '68 that Tommy Larkins was born. Amazingly, the new club won a county senior hurling championship almost instantly - in 1971 - announcing their arrival on the big stage in considerable style. Today, one of their most pressing targets is to re-establish themselves as a consistent senior power. Former first-team goalkeeper Noel Murphy enjoyed a dream first season at the helm. Noel possesses considerable All-Ireland experience, having won junior and intermediate honours with the Tribesmen, and also lined out between the sticks for Tommy Larkins for many years. He still togs out for the juniors but managing the first team takes up most of his time. Noel has assembled a very strong backroom team, with no end of advisors and helpers. Former successful county minor selector Michael Fogarty is involved, as are Eamonn Dervan, Martin Sheil, Michael Rourke and Gerry Darcy, who won an All-Ireland minor medal in 1983. The legendary Cyril Farrell was even enlisted as trainer/advisor during the bid for national glory. Little wonder the club chairman is delighted with the strides being made at all levels! "We fielded four adult teams in '07 and were also involved at all underage levels," says Eamonn. "We have a really good juvenile structure and that will serve us well in the future. We've won two county U12s, two U14s and two U16s in recent years and we also competed in two All-Ireland Feiles, reaching the semi-final stage on both occasions before losing to Ballyhale in 1999 and Glen Rovers the following year. "A lot of those players are on the first team now. In 2005, we won the junior 'C', intermediate and U21 'A' championships. In 2006, we won the minor 'A' and junior 'A'. Then last year, of course, we won the county and Connacht intermediate championships again. It's an incredible run of success when you bear in mind that, prior to '05, we hadn't won an adult title in 29 years." The club had a few representatives on the Galway side that beat Kilkenny in the 2005 All-Ireland U21 hurling championship final and they could push for senior intercounty recognition if Tommy Larkins establish themselves as a senior entity. The chairman is hopeful that they'll be able to put the experience of playing senior in 2006 to good effect: "Hopefully we have learned from the experience, but we know there is nothing easy about playing in the senior hurling championship in Galway. Obviously, our main ambition is to stay senior because we don't want to go straight back down again. They'll give it a good shot; I'm sure of that. Their run in the club championship has been a nice bonus and should give the players a bit of confidence. They should also have learned from the experience of playing senior in '06. Also, the team as a unit is more mature now, with an average age of 23/24, which should also help." The committee is currently overseeing the ambitious development of a resplendent new clubhouse, which they're hoping to open in May. With the new facilities in place, they will have everything necessary to compete on the top rung of Galway hurling. The club boasts a pitch in each parish and predominantly uses the surface in Woodford. Looks like the elite of Galway hurling could be travelling there for quite some time to come! The Tommy Larkins side that started the glorious run to the All-Ireland club final when they won the 2007 Galway IHC final was: D Starr; P Flynn, R Whyte, J Rohan; E Gorman, C Fahy, B McCormack; D Kelly, T Cavanagh (0-3); E Hayes (0-5), K Hooban, P Moroney (0-2); G Kelly, N Kelly, D Garvey (0-2). Subs: A Garvey, M Fahy (0-1). Tweet

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