Ballygar 2-19

Salthill/Knocknacarra 1-14

Ivan Smyth at Duggan Park

BALLYGAR were crowned Junior 1 hurling champions as they proved too strong for a Donal O’Shea inspired Salthill/ Knocknacarra.

The north east Galway club completed a unique double after securing the Junior A title last month. This win ensures Ballygar’s Junior 1 hurlers will go forward and represent the county in the Connacht championship as they face Sligo side Easkey in the final of that competition in just over a week’s time.

Stephen Lohan produced a Man of the Match display at centre forward for the winners with eight players troubling the scoreboard for Ballygar. Meanwhile, Salthill/Knocknacarra were overly reliant on O’Shea with the county player firing over 0-11 as he was often left isolated up front for the city side.

Ballygar were able to dominate both sets of puckouts especially in the opening period. They utilised a two man full forward line of Adrian Gavin and Eamonn Trayers while they played with four men in the half back line during the opening period. Diarmuid O’Brien dropped deep as Salthill/ Knocknacarra only won six of their 16 opening half restarts while Ballygar claimed possession from six of their 10 puckouts in the first period.

Their dominance of the middle third gave them a platform to attack, and often left O’Shea starved of quality ball up front. At times he operated as the only inside full forward as Salthill/Knocknacarra sought to gain a foothold in the middle third. Even when they did win possession, Ballygar placed them under immense pressure as the quality of ball into O’Shea was poor. O’Shea, Seanie Joyce, Brendan Moran, Shane Kelly and sub Neil Hyland were Salthill’s top performers but Ballygar were simply too strong.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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