Salthill-Knocknacarra 5-16

An Cheathrú Rua 0-9

Pádraic Ó Ciardha at Indreabhán

SALTHILL-Knocknacarra knew they needed a big win in this one if they were going to enter the quarter-final draw as top seeds and that’s exactly what John O’Mahony’s side did as they blew An Cheathrú Rua away in devastating fashion last Sunday.

It was a prolific performance, Salthill-Knocknacarra grabbing 21 scores from 26 shots, and they could easily have finished up with more goals as they cut through time and again.

Rob Finnerty, Tomo Culhane and Evan Murphy all took advantage of the space afforded to them but it was the accurate passing and support running from men further out the field like Dónal Hunt, John Maher and Mikey Culhane which really carved An Cheathrú Rua open. Coupled with a defensive performance which limited their opponents to just two points from play, Salthill-Knocknacarra will take real momentum into the knockout rounds of this year’s championship.

An Cheathrú Rua had the slimmest of chances of avoiding the relegation rounds before throw-in but, shorn of both Micheál and Stiofán Ó Briain, they were always up against it and it didn’t take long for things to start going against them.

The men from Conamara actually started relatively well, Ciarán Cassidy Mac Donnacha putting them ahead after two minutes, but sloppy turnovers were a feature of An Cheathrú Rua’s play in the first half and it cost them dearly.

In the fifth minute, having initially done well to win possession in defence, Fergal Ó Sé brought the ball into contact, lost it and a quick move involving Mikey Culhane and Evan Murphy ended with Rob Finnerty palming the ball home. John Maher and Dónal Hunt added the next two points for Salthill-Knocknacarra though both could easily have raised green flags as their side picked open the An Cheathrú Rua defence.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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