Eight years ago today Liam Watson wrote his name in the record books when he broke the individual scoring record for an All Ireland Club final to steer Loughgiel to their second Tommy Moore Cup triumph. A few weeks earlier had had set a new record for a semi-final when he scored 0-16 in an thrilling semi-final win over Munster champions Na Pairsaig, but the place to set records is Croke Park and he stepped up to the mark again on club hurling’s biggest day.
All Ireland Senior Club Hurling final 2012
Loughgiel Shamrocks 4-13 Coolderry 0-17
Liam Watson hit 3-7 as Loughgiel stunned Coolderry in the All-Ireland Club Hurling Final at Croke Park.
Shay Casey kicked Loughgiel’s first goal before Coolderry drew level.
However, Watson’s first goal put Loughgiel four up and he then struck two goals in a minute before half-time.
He gambled as he struck a 20-metre free to the net for his second goal before another glorious finish for his third and while Coolderry threatened after the break, Loughgiel regained control.
Loughgiel’s victory amid high emotion ended a 29-year wait for their second All-Ireland title after their 1983 success .
And it was a thoroughly deserved victory for the Shamrocks who are the only Ulster club to have lifted the title.
Watson’s scoring exploits will rightly be lauded but it was a tremendous team display by PJ O’Mullan’s side.
The sense that it was going to be Loughgiel’s day came when Watson rocketed in his second goal from the 20-metre free two minutes before the break.
His manager surely would have wanted the forward to take his point but the enigmatic Watson had other ideas as he lashed an unstoppable strike past the five men on the goal-line and into the roof of the net.
Two minutes later, Watson beautifully controlled a long ball from the outstanding Eddie McCloskey and he only needed two more touches on the stick before sliding the ball under keeper Stephen Corcoran.
The goal gave the Ulster champions an astonishing 4-6 to 0-8 lead although Damian Murray did add a further Coolderry point in first-half injury-time.
Casey kicked Loughgiel’s opening goal to put his side 1-1 to 0-2 ahead after good work by Joey Scullion.
Efforts from play from Eddie McCloskey and Brendan McCarry then had Loughgiel 1-3 to 0-3 ahead only for Coolderry to draw level, helped by two Brian Carroll scores.
But Loughgiel were four to the good by the 20th minute as Watson slammed to the net from close range after keeper Corcoran had saved a pointblank Casey shot.
Coolderry were still within striking distance at 2-6 to 0-8 in arrears as half-time approached but then came the crucial period of the match as Watson completed his hat-trick of goals.
After going in nine points ahead at the break, Loughgiel’s nerve threatened to fail them at the start of the second half as Coolderry hit four unanswered points, with sub Kevin Connolly getting two of the scores.
But Watson pointed a crucial free won by himself in the 37th minute and a reply from Murray was then followed by three more unanswered Loughgiel points, with Barney McAuley’s long-range effort adding to two more Watson scores.
Coolderry reduced Loughgiel’s lead to six by the 53rd minute but the contest was effectively over within a minute as Watson’s 70-metre free was followed by McCarry’s second score of the day.
With an unassailable lead, Loughgiel were able to enjoy something of a lap of honour in the closing minutes with McCarry tagging on a closing point.
Loughgiel players get the adrenalin flowing with their pre-match warm-up routine. 
Joey Scullion goes around Coolderry’s Kevin Teehan in the move which led to Loughgiel’s opening goal. 
Joey Scullion breaks through to set Loughgiel on the attack early in the game. 
Shay Casey kicks the ball to the Coolderry net in the sixth minute to give his team a lead they were not to relinquish. 
Loughgiel centre-forward Declan Laverty gets between Coolderry’s Kevin Teehan and Kevin Brady during the first half. 
Loughgiel corner-forward Benny McCarry swings over and early point. 
Loughgiel manager PJ O’Mullan strides the sideline. 
Coolderry’s Brendan O’Meara has his hurl broken as he blocks down a shot from Loughgiel’s Mark McFadden. 
Mark McFadden sends a ball into the Loughgiel forwards. 
Liam Watson slips past a Coolderry defender in the move which led to the first of his three goals. 
Liam Watson loses his footing as he goes past Coolderry full-back Trevor Corcoran. 
Eddie McCloksey sends a great diagonal pass through the Coolderry defence. 
Liam Watson receives attention after an incident which saw Coolderry full-back Trevor Corcoran receive a yellow card. 
Liam Watson celebrates after firing the ball to the Coolderry net for the second of his two goals. 
Loughgiel fans rise in the Croke Park stand to celebrate Liam Watson’s second goal. 
Joey Scullion and Eddie McCloskey race towards the breaking ball as Barney McAuley moves out to receive the pass. 
Liam Watson is dragged down by Coolderry captain Brendan O’Meara. 
Liam Watson celebrates after scoring his seventh point of the game during the second-half. 
Benny McCarry celebrates after scoring the third of his three points. 
Substitute Tony McCloskey sets off on a solo run late in the game. 
A Loughgiel fan looks anxious despite his team’s healthy lead. 
Team manger PJ O’Mullan celebrates a the press photographers capture his historic win. 
The McCloskey brothers Ronan and Tony celebrate at the end. 
Benny McCarry, who scored three points in his team’s win, is lifter shoulder high by Damian Laverty at the end. 
Team captain Johnny Campbell and vice-captain DD Quinn lift the Tommy Moore Cup. 
Loughgiel celebrate their famous All Ireland victory. 
The Scullion brothers Joey (left) and Martin with the Tommy Moore Cup after the game. 
Team captain Johnny Campbell and his younger brother James with the cup. 
Loughgiel fans greets the players as they return to their dressing room with the All Ireland trophy. 
Liam Waton with his two cousins Damian Laverty (left) and Declan Laverty right after the game. 