Athenry crash out to Salthill in a low-key Cup semi-final

Salthill Devon 1

Athenry FC 0

Mike Rafferty in Drom

IT could hardly be described as a classic, but after a competitive battle it was the Connacht Junior Cup holders who prevailed in Sunday’s semi-final in Drom and, in the process, set up a final meeting with Ballinasloe Town on the last weekend of May.

It was the second time this season that Salthill Devon had the edge on the visitors and while they were worthy of their success, it was a contest where the goalkeepers were not overworked and where defences dominated. Chances were certainly at a premium with Shane O’Rourke’s powerful header following a Mikie Fox corner just before the break all that separated the sides at the finish.

Athenry’s only real chance of the game arrived on 12 minutes when Pete Finnerty flicked on a Dan Cunningham throw in at the near post. The ball dropped to the waiting Gary Shanahan, but his first time close range shot was batted away by the advancing Tadgh O’Malley.

It was a crucial save and in reality the visitors struggled to get a clear sight of goal thereafter. The all-weather surface just does not lend itself to contes’s like this. With so much at stake, space was hard to find. Midfield was continuously crowded as those in possession were quickly closed down.

For more, read this week’s Connacht 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.