Sports
Leitir Móir advance after tight struggle in Salthill
Leitir Móir 1-12
Caltra 0-13
A 62nd minute free from Daithí Mac Donnacha put the seal on a two-point victory for Naomh Anna, Leitir Móir over Caltra. It was a tidy and decent game of football, and there was very little difference in terms of quality between the sides, but the old adage that goals win you Gaelic football matches proved true in Pearse Stadium on Sunday evening last.
The game’s sole goal arrived courtesy of Mac Donnacha in the 33rd minute, and it was the crucial score of the game. Caltra had two goal opportunities fall away in the final 10 minutes, and as much as Meehan’s excellent conversion rate kept them chipping away at the deficit, they couldn’t bulge the back of the Leitir Móir net.
Of the 1-25 registered between both teams, 0-17 of that total was scored from placed balls – Leitir Móir 0-8 and Caltra 0-9. Mac Donnacha, Ferdia Breathnach and Cormac Ó Conghaile shared the responsibilities for Leitir Móir, while Brian Laffey hit two and Meehan seven from placed balls. The large number of frees awarded tells us something about how the game was refereed though.
Some of Shane Hehir’s calls seemed harsh on occasions for both sides, and any backchat from the players saw frees being moved forward or the decision overturned. As Tyrone will know this week, talking back to the officials is never beneficial, and a scoreable free 20 yards out from goal given to Caltra in the 37th minute was overturned in favour of a hop ball because of that.
A score for Caltra would have helped stem the momentum Naomh Anna, Leitir Móir had built up by that stage. The winners’ greater physicality around the middle third began to tell in the third quarter as Antoine Toto Ó Gríofa, Eamonn Ó Loinsigh, Padraic Bairéad and Ferdia Breathnach used their size to good effect. Another factor which aided Leitir Móir’s chances of victory was the absence of Cathal and Padraig Mannion from Caltra’s starting 15.
The duo have the pressing matter of an All-Ireland hurling final to prepare for on Sunday week, but it was heartening all the same to see them on the sideline acting as water carriers for the Caltra team. Both of them are excellent footballers also. Cathal scored 0-4 and Padraig 0-2 against Kilkerrin/Clonberne in the opening round of the championship back in May.
Without them, most of the scoring burden for Caltra fell on the lofty shoulders of one Michael Meehan. He scored 0-9 of Caltra’s final tally, and although Meehan may have lost a yard of pace, his enduring class remains, and a point after four minutes from play perfectly demonstrated just that.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
DBS Eanna 69
UG Maree 74
By Keith Kelly in Tallaght
THE Fields of Athenry rang loud around the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght last Saturday night as University of Galway Maree became the first Galway side to capture top-flight silverware when claiming the Pat Duffy Cup in a thrilling end-to-end contest.
Written off and under-estimated – and at times, just simply insulted as well – Charlie Crowley’s side put in a display for the ages to claim a thoroughly deserved win on what was a stunning week for Galway basketball, with UG Mystics capturing the women’s U-20 National Cup, Colaiste Mhuire Mathair claiming the U-16 B Boys Schools’ Cup, and Calasanctius College capturing the U-16 A Girls’ Schools Cup.
Somewhat off the boil in the first half, New York’s Jarrett Haines sprung to life in the second-half when writing his own Bronx Tale at the home of Irish basketball, his 35-points display in the game earning him the undisputed MVP award.
But he was just one of a host of stars wearing jerseys that sported the blue of Maree and the maroon of Galway: Rodrigo Gomez finished with a double-double of 13 points and 20 rebounds; and Zvonomir Cutuk threw in 15 points of his own despite shipping a nasty-looking gash at the side of his head that required heavy bandaging at half-time.
Eoin Rockall and Stephen Commins showed the leadership you want from your captains. It was fitting that Commins opened the scoring with one of his trademark looping shots from beyond the 3-point arc, and he was a monster in a defensive performance from the entire Maree squad that forced Eanna into pot-shots from deep, and a return of 25% from the outside shots they were so heavily reliant on was never going to win the Dublin side the game.
Only Haines topped Rockall for time on the court for UG Maree, showing the importance to the side of a man steeped in the club, and his haul of six rebounds and nine assists was further evidence that he is the beating heart of the side.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Galway Soccer Wrap by Mike Rafferty
THERE was no shortage of drama involving all three Galway League sides in the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday as Colga provided the shock of the fifth round with a 2-1 away win over Wexford side North End United.
Salthill Devon survived via the penalty shoot out route over Clonmullion FC in Kildare, while as usual spot kicks did no favours for Athenry as they exited against Fairview Rangers.
Of all the local sides in action, Colga looked to be the one team that had it all to do but their second victory on the road was achieved in dramatic fashion. They took a 13th minute lead when Joe Gaughan curled in a cracking free kick from outside the box after Neil Greaney was fouled to put them1-0 up.
It was an advantage they enjoyed until the home side levelled matters on 70 minutes and by then North End were also reduced to ten men. Colga secured the winner on 89 minutes when Ben Lalor rose majestically in the box to head home a Mikie Donoghue corner. They had to endure seven minutes of additional time, which they survived with the minimum of fuss.
This contest was one of those games when manager Iggy Greaney had a full and fit panel to choose from, and they played with a confidence that you get from being successful. With goalkeeper Mark Greaney generally untroubled as the home side went the long ball route and Neil Greaney central to the visitors’ performance, Colga got belief from the early score and, indeed, Gaughan was just off target with another effort just after his goal. After two away games, Colga might like a stroke of luck when the last 16 draw takes place this week and be awarded with a home tie.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Shamrocks 5-12
Sarsfields 1-9
By Eanna O’Reilly at Duggan Park
SHAMROCKS claimed the 2022 Minor A camogie title after producing a tremendous performance to overcome Sarsfields in Ballinasloe on Sunday. Des O’Halloran’s charges gave a goal scoring exhibition in a contest which was generally more competitive than the final margin would suggest.
Nevertheless, Shamrocks were by far the superior team on the day, and their ability to engineer scores was top class throughout this final. Three green flags in the first half was the difference, giving the Loughrea/Kilnadeema-Leitrim ladies a seven point interval lead, after an opening period which was competitive.
In the second half, Shamrocks really took off and left their opponents behind, dominating throughout the pitch, with a number of excellent individual displays. The most eye catching of all was corner forward Emily Lawless, who took home the player of the match award after tallying 1-3 and being a thorn in Sarsfields’ side throughout this final.
Played on a sticky pitch surface, both sides displayed a good level of sharpness in producing a high quality contest. Sarsfields opened the scoring when Caoimhe Kelly pointed a third minute free. Shortly after, Niamh McInerney’s dipping free ended up in the roof of the net, giving Shamrocks a huge boost.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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