Barna 0-6

Salthill/Knocknacarra 0-4

By DARREN KELLY AT PEARSE STADIUM

IT wasn’t a contest for the “purists” but Barna didn’t mind on Friday night as this Division 2 Football League Final success over neighbours Salthill/Knocknacarra gave the west Galway side a first ever senior title.

Points from Mark Boyle and substitute Oisin Gormley were the decisive scores for David Donnellan’s team, but they still had to withstand a nervous finish as Ryan and Cathal Folan blocked goal threats from Salthill/Knocknacarra before finally getting over the line.

Though a cutting breeze was blowing down the field, Barna weren’t fazed as they made a bright start. Tom O’Connor picked out Jack Keady who opened the scoring on five minutes as they dominated possession in the early exchanges.

Also noteworthy was the return of inter county players following Galway’s exit to Mayo in the All-Ireland series five days earlier at the same venue.  While Barna’s Cian Hernon and Salthill/Knocknacarra duo Robert Finnerty and Tomo Culhane didn’t appear, five more did play.

Seán Fitzgerald started at centre back with James Keane in goal. And Fitzgerald got his name on the scoreboard on eight minutes to double Barna’s advantage.

They should have pulled further clear with their best chance within 60 seconds. Niall Cox and Donal Folan combined to set up Conor Keenan but the winger took too much out of the ball before hoofing off target.

Fitzgerald set up Keane, who enjoyed the freedom to roam away from the sticks, with a point on 12 minutes. It didn’t count, however, as referee Noel Dempsey had already blown his whistle. The match official struggled with his application of the advantage rule.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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