Cappataggle’s lack of firepower proves costly

Kilburn Gaels     0-11

Cappataggle       0-10

CAPPATAGGLE’S bid to become the first Galway team to win the All-Ireland Intermediate Club title fell someway short at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday – for, despite the one-point margin of defeat at the finish, the Connacht champions never really looked like claiming victory in this low-scoring semi-final.

Over the hour, the London outfit, backboned by four South Galway players, was undoubtedly the better side and were it not for some superb goalkeeping from Cappataggle netminder James Skehill, Kilburn could easily have advanced to the decider on a two or three-goal winning margin.

Cappataggle did have their moments but they were just too few against a Kilburn Gaels team that, physically, had the cut of a senior outfit. Indeed, they would not have looked out of place against many of the sides currently plying their trade in the Galway senior hurling championship.

Yet, while this was certainly a factor, particularly given the heavy underfoot conditions, it was not the over-riding one throughout this high-octane battle. In addition to their physicality, Kilburn also equalled and at times surpassed Cappy’s impressive work-rate while they also displayed a greater ability to create chances.

Kilburn did not have it all their own way though and, for long periods, they struggled to get to grips with Cappy’s tenacity under the puck-out – the Galway champions winning this statistic handsomely – but, again, through their tireless endeavours the London champions were able to overturn possession in open play and deny their rivals the platform for attack.

This was reflected in the scoring chances created, with Kilburn conjuring up 28 over the hour while Cappataggle could only manage 21. Compare this to the 36 Cappy fashioned in their Galway county final replay victory over Ahascragh/Fohenagh and it underlined just how effective the Kilburn Gaels rearguard was.

Ultimately, this was the difference between the two sides. Cappy rarely threatened the Kilburn goal in the manner their opponents did and were wholly relying on the two Dolans – Darragh and Alan – to finish the chances presented.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.