Salthill/Knocknacarra 1-7

Naomh Abán 0-4

DARREN KELLY IN FETHARD

SALTHILL/Knocknacarra created history on Saturday as they became the first Galway club in 12 years to be crowned All-Ireland Junior Ladies Football champions.

Alyssa Manley’s 60th minute goal finally settled a tie with so many twists and turns even before the teams got onto the field. But Salthill/Knocknacarra maintained their focus and composure through each challenge and obstacle to complete their season in perfect fashion.

Even though they only won a maiden county title in October, the unchartered waters navigated during a provincial or national junior campaign made every ounce of experience vital.

Sarah Donnellan, Emma Madden, Siobhán Divilly and Laura Kelly played in an All-Ireland club camogie final in Croke Park in March. The latter three were back in August to win the intermediate inter-county with Galway.

But the jewel was the winning goal scorer. A United States hockey Olympian in 2016, Manley has already left her legacy across the Atlantic and took her place among the Salthill/Knocknacarra immortals with the winning goal.

This game was originally due for Kilmallock six days earlier but the weather resulted in a postponement. And as the conditions started thawing on Saturday, throngs of supporters headed to Cahir in south Tipperary for this eagerly awaited clash.

However, bar the early birds, they didn’t get in. As within 45 minutes of the scheduled 1pm throw-in, the Cahir ground was deemed unplayable throwing this All-Ireland final on its head again.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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