St James ’1-9

An Spidéal 0-7

Pádraic Ó Ciardha at Pearse Stadium

EOIN Concannon’s goal three minutes before half-time proved to be the crucial score as St James’ overcame An Spidéal in a tight but tame enough clash in Pearse Stadium last Sunday afternoon.

With the likes of Paul Conroy and Johnny Duane also making vital contributions, it was very much a case of the old guard doing the job as the Jimmies held off their opponents in the second half.

It was a scorching day in Salthill, as evidenced by the return of the water break to proceedings but the contest itself never saw the mercury rise too high with both sides struggling to impose themselves in attack.

That was down in large part to how An Spidéal set up. Coming off the back of three defeats and having shipped six goals in their previous outing against Annaghdown, including one after just 13 seconds, it was more than understandable that the Cois Fharraige side were primarily focused on getting things right at the back. The voices of Dónal Ó Fátharta on the sideline and goalkeeper Maghnus Breathnach were a constant companion in Pearse Stadium as they directed those out the field into position.

For the most part, it worked. St James’ struggled to create many clear cut opportunities and, despite having the majority of possession in the opening 25 minutes, found themselves only 0-3 to 0-2 ahead at that stage. The tactic limited An Spidéal’s own chances to get scores, however, with even their nominal full-forward Antaine Ó Laoi often finding himself as an extra defender plugging gaps outside his own ‘D’.

The plan worked for most of the first half, however, but a goal in such a low-scoring game is always going to be a huge score and the way An Spidéal conceded will leave them incredibly disappointed, all their hard work rendered null by a long ball into the edge of the square.

Pictured: St James’ Johnny Duane on the charge against Micheál Ó Curraoin of An Spidéal during the clubs’ Senior Football Championship clash at Pearse Stadium on Sunday. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.