Sub Murphy helps to steer Salthill into Co semi-finals
Published:
-
-
Author: Darren Kelly
~ 2 minutes read
From this week's Galway City Tribune
Salthill/Knocknacarra 0-12
Dunmore MacHales 0-7
DARREN KELLY AT TUAM STADIUM
ROBERT Finnerty’s return was the icing on the cake for Salthill/Knocknacarra last Saturday as they booked their place in the senior football championship semi-finals for the first time since 2022.
Finian Hanley’s side didn’t put in a vintage display that will be required when they challenge current title holders Corofin in the final four, but there were still positives to take from this 60+ minute effort.
As well as Finnerty ending his two month hiatus since the All-Ireland Final in Croke Park, John Maher put in another commanding display. But pride of place went to substitute Evan Murphy who entered the fray at half-time and kicked four points.
For Dunmore MacHales, they brought the curtain down on a positive season as well as the Gary Delaney era. The manager announced he was stepping down in charge of the Shafts afterwards.
They were county and Connacht intermediate champions in 2022. And this year, they won the Division 3B league in June before reaching their first championship quarter-final in 22 years.
And for the first 30 minutes in particular, they showed that they belonged in the upper echelons of Galway football. It took seven minutes for scoring to begin before Conor Mitchell won a free. Galway goalkeeper Connor Gleeson split the posts from 40 yards.
The north Galway team were enjoying the better of possession but left some chances behind. However, after winning a ’45 on 10 minutes, Gleeson caught his opponents off guard and passed across to Shane McGrath who pushed forward for the second point.
Salthill/Knocknacarra entered as strong favourites with three wins and three clean sheets and finally opened their account on 11 minutes when captain Paddy Kitt demanded more urgency and sent a ball into Robert Walzer who claimed the mark.
They levelled on the quarter hour through Matthew Thompson’s free but the city club had a scare beforehand. Jake Slattery and Jamie Coen attacked down the left before a pass into the square. A defender’s hand intercepted but the ball only just shaved the post going out for a ’45.
Pictured: Salthill-Knocknacarra’s Evan Murphy on the attack against Dylan Brady of Dunmore MacHales during Saturday’s senior football quarter-final at Tuam Stadium. Photos: David Cunniffe.
More like this:
Nursing homes remain under control of HSE
The Health Service Executive remains in charge of two Galway nursing homes whose registrations we...
Gold medal winner is headliner as ATU Galway hosts evening on the environment
Award-winning garden designer and 2024 Bloom Gold medal recipient Leonie Cornelius is among the d...
Galway delight on achieving official recognition as Gaeltacht Schools
A host of Galway pupils, students and teachers were among the representatives of 101 primary and ...
Roads budget is a fraction of what’s needed
A local Councillor has lashed the lack of state funding for safety measures at accident blackspot...
University of Galway student awarded prestigious mathematics prize
A fourth year student at University of Galway has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Hamilton Priz...
Medtronic Mission Maker supports organisations working to improve health outcomes
One of Galway’s best-known charities received a welcome fillip to funds recently with its selecti...
Alf the giant newt draws thousands — but lack of parade disappoints many
There has been widespread criticism of the absence of a parade at this year’s Macnas Halloween sp...
Almost 600 student beds in new Terryland complex
By Brendan Carroll Almost 600 student bedrooms will be provided in a major new apartments dev...
United to wrap up encouraging league campaign against struggling Bohs
By Mike Rafferty FROM humble beginnings back in mid-February when Galway United started their ...