Sports
Niland’s free bails Clarinbridge boys out of trouble
Clarinbridge 1-11
Kilnadeema-Leitrim 1-11
A hotly-contested minor A hurling final produced late drama before eventually ending in stalemate, with first-time finalists Kilnadeema-Leitrim relieved to have a replay to prepare for . . . even though substitute Shane Fahy’s late goal almost propelled them to glory before Clarinbridge’s Evan Niland nervelessly levelled matters at Kenny Park.
Fahy’s opportunistic strike arrived five minutes from time and was Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s first score of the second half playing into a stiff wind that had assisted them to an eight-point interval advantage. Six points in an eight-minute spell had put the underdogs in a commanding position, but a failure to convert a number of second half chances, albeit in far from ideal conditions, ultimately cost them the breakthrough win.
The large crowd expected a second half onslaught from Eanna Ryan’s star-studded Clarinbridge side, but they were forced to produce more graft than guile to claw their way back into the contest. Again, it was a substitute’s involvement that really ignited their hopes as Isaac Dehora’s burst led to a 42nd minute penalty that Niland drilled to the net.
From that moment on the scoring momentum was with Clarinbridge as Niland continued to convert the placed ball chances and Mark Kennedy and Andrew Monaghan popped up with vital scores, but when Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s Conor Molloy’s free from halfway dropped short, Fahy was quickest to react to the breaking ball and he whipped a low shot to the bottom right corner.
Clarinbridge were behind again, but had time to regroup, and Niland levelled matters under intense pressure with three minutes remaining. To Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s immense credit, though, they would not give up another clear scoring opportunity, with centre-half back Mark Lawless’ crucial block on Cian Salmon a memorable moment in the frantic endgame.
The impressive county final programme revealed that Clarinbridge have amassed an astonishing 20 underage titles since the turn of the millennium, yet the club were still bidding to end a 17-year wait for glory at this grade. With five players who added All-Ireland minor winners medals recently to their collection of honours forming their backbone, Kilnadeema-Leitrim were aware the odds were against them.
Two of that quintet, Cian Salmon and Evan Niland, had early involvement as the tall centre half forward set up Niland for a classy first score of the game on three minutes. The action was lively despite the wet and blustery conditions, and Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s nerves were settled quickly as Conor Molloy clipped over their first point a minute later.
Full forward Kevin Roche then won a free that captain Jack Kenny drove over, before Kenny himself found some space to engineer a score after Eanna Shalvey’s sideline cut had floated across the forward line. Already Kilnadeema-Leitrim’s defence were proving resolute as corner back Christopher Mahony’s bravely won an aerial battle before shipping a knock, and Clarinbridge’s forwards were struggling to cope with their intensity.
Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Galway 3-18
Cork 1-10
NEW setting; new opposition; new challenge. It made no difference to the Galway minor hurlers as they chalked up a remarkable sixth consecutive double digits championship victory at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
The final scoreline in Thurles may have been a little harsh on Cork, but there was no doubting Galway’s overall superiority in setting up only a second-ever All-Ireland showdown against Clare at the same venue on Sunday week.
Having claimed an historic Leinster title the previous weekend, Galway took a while to get going against the Rebels and also endured their first period in a match in which they were heavily outscored, but still the boys in maroon roll on.
Beating a decent Cork outfit by 14 points sums up how formidable Galway are. No team has managed to lay a glove on them so far, and though Clare might ask them questions other challengers haven’t, they are going to have to find significant improvement on their semi-final win over 14-man Kilkenny to pull off a final upset.
Galway just aren’t winning their matches; they are overpowering the teams which have stood in their way. Their level of consistency is admirable for young players starting off on the inter-county journey, while the team’s temperament appears to be bombproof, no matter what is thrown at them.
Having romped through Leinster, Galway should have been a bit rattled by being only level (0-4 each) after 20 minutes and being a little fortunate not to have been behind; or when Cork stormed out of the blocks at the start of the second half by hitting 1-4 to just a solitary point in reply, but there was never any trace of panic in their ranks.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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GALWAY United need to guard against any kind of complacency when they make the short hop down the M18 this Friday to take on Treaty United at the Markets Field (7.45pm).
The game is a meeting of the two form teams in the division, and as in previous meetings between the sides, will have an additional edge given the number of former United players in the home side’s ranks, and the pair of Limerick lads playing for United.
There might have been just the eight meetings between the sides since Treaty became the latest iteration to represent Limerick in the League of Ireland in 2021, and while United have yet to lose to the men in the candy-cane strips, there has never been more than a goal in four of their eight wins.
The most recent of those was back in February, when Rob Slevin scored the only goal of the game in Eamonn Deacy Park after a tough battle against a side who made a slow start to the season, before finally finding their groove in the past month.
Having taken just three points from their first six games before finally getting a win against Longford Town, they reverted to type with just one point from their next three games, but are now on a run of four wins on the spin, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one.
Their most recent win was a 3-0 victory away to Longford Town last Saturday, and they could have won by double that against the only side to have beaten United this season. That in itself is a warning.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
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The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty
While the Salthill Devon men’s team might have lost their grip on the Connacht Junior Cup that they held for two seasons, the club’s women’s side have picked up the mantle and on Sunday last in Headford were crowned provincial champions with a 4-3 win over Manulla.
Following midweek wins for Maree/Oranmore and Knocknacarra, the stage is now almost set for the semi-finals of the Michael Byrne Cup with Salthill Devon meeting St Bernard’s on Sunday in an outstanding quarter-final, with the winners advancing to a semi-final against Maree/Oranmore, while Colga will face Knocknacarra in the other last four contest.
Just one league issue remains to be decided, with the Championship runners-up position up for grabs, as Dynamo Blues have to win their two remaining games in order to overtake Colemanstown United who have finished their programme.
WOMEN’S CONNACHT CUP FINAL
Salthill Devon 4
Manulla 3
Ellerose O’Flaherty scored twice as Salthill Devon were crowned provincial champions with a win over a Mayo side who were losing in the final for the second year in succession.
Backboned by a number of players who previously had League of Ireland experience with Galway WFC, Devon suffered an early set back when Jess Nolan put Manulla ahead, before O’Flaherty levelled matters with a cracking finish on 20 minutes, which was quickly followed by a long-range free-kick from Aoife Walsh.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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