Claregalway 1-20

Cárna-Caiseal 2-13

NOW, there was no cup on offer for winning this Junior promotion play-off, but at Pearse Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Claregalway certainly celebrated in style as they marked their upgrade to Intermediate football for next season.

Claregalway were certainly the better side, as their style of football complimented their youth and allowed them to play a free flowing game that was fully taken advantage of by a sharp forward line.

Enjoying the advantage of the elements in the opening half, the winners consistently built up a score, but then had the ability to hang on as Cárna-Caiseal threatened a second half comeback.

For the Connemara side, this match seemed to be a game too far. Two late two pointers by Dara Ó Cualáin got them over the line against Fr Griffins-Eire Óg, while last week’s extra time victory over Williamstown tested their will to the full.

No doubt, there was a celebration or two after that success, but on this occasion the fire in the belly wasn’t as apparent as previously. Their slow build up and continuous hand passing was a throwback to a previous time and it made them work harder for everything they got.

The ball is round – kick it was the mantra of Claregalway as they used the direct pass to feed an impressive attack. They opened their account with a point by Seán O’Callaghan, before a Dara Ó Cualáin free and a Mikey Breathnach point, after he was picked out by a smashing Riocáird Ó Guairim sideline pass, edged Cárna-Caiseal ahead for the only time in the game.

Thereafter, their attacking options were limited as Claregalway took control of proceedings and their forward line was allowed to flourish, with corner forward duo Shane Ó hEochagáin and Sean O’Callaghan outstanding. Running into space, they were generally the out ball for building attacks and along with the equally impressive Matthew Collins, they made it a difficult afternoon for the Cárna-Caiseal full-back line.

Ó hEochagáin – son of a Tuam mother and a Navan father – was to get three of their next four scores, while Cian O’Callaghan cut in from the wing to get his first point of the day as they led by 0-5 to 0-2 on 11 minutes.

Despite the toil of Mikey Coleman Ó Flatharta, Dara Ó Conchubhair and Sean Ó Coirbin, Cárna-Caiseal were struggling to establish any momentum or create opportunities in attack. An excellent score by Ó Conchubhair when he took on his man and fired over was a rare reward as Claregalway were to get the next seven scores in succession.

On two occasions, the vision of Ó hEochagáin picked out colleagues in space and they were rewarded with scores. He first spotted the run of Dave Tarmey and his first time volley flew just over the bar, while the next pass found Matthew Collins in acres of space and he made ground before blasting a goal past Éamonn Ó Malóid.

Pictured: Eoin Connolly of Claregalway eyes up his options against Cárna Caiseal’s Maitiú Ó Niaidh during the Primary Junior Football Promotion play-off at Pearse Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.