An Cheathrú Rua 4-12

Ballymote 2-10

By Mike Rafferty at Tuam Stadium

RECENT years have proven to be difficult for those involved with An Cheathú Rua with relegations in successive seasons, but those memories were banished at Tuam Stadium on Saturday as the Connemara outfit clinched a first ever Connacht Junior football title with a performance that saw them easily see off the Sligo champions.

This victory was their ninth win in succession in championship football this season and it certainly gave the impression that they saved their best display for the provincial final. Choosing to face the influential elements, An Cheathrú Rua were struggling for any momentum in the early exchanges, before two goals in a minute proved the turning point.

There was no doubt where the confidence lay at the break as the Galway champions bounced off the pitch, while the visitors’ body language indicated the trouble they were in. No doubt a six point advantage at the break was significant and while Ballymote responded by raising two green flags of their own on the resumption, An Cheathrú always had an answer.

Two more goals allowed them stroll through the latter stages when the game opened up somewhat as Ballymote Round Towers went chasing the contest.

It was the Yeats County side who started off in lively fashion and Thomas Sweeney launched over a splendid effort on the wind within seconds. A massive kick out by goalkeeper Cian Kilcoyne provided the assist as Dermot McTiernan angled over their second score.

An Cheathrú Rua struggled for early possession, but they spurned an early goal opportunity when a Padraig Mac Donnacha pass released Éanna Mac Cormaic, but the normally deadly finisher flashed his shot outside the far post and wide. They notched their first score on four minutes when the impressive Dara Ó Sé drove forward and pointed, but some early wides were to frustrate them, with Fionán Ó Conghaile also sending an goal effort outside a post.

Pictured: Fionán Ó Conghaile of An Cheathrú Rua breaking away from Ballymote Round Towers’ Michael Lavin during the Connacht Club Intermediate Football Final at Tuam Stadium on Saturday. Photo: David Cunniffe.