Carna-Caiseal make mockery of formbook to shock champions in first round clash

Carna-Caiseal     2-6

Salthill-Knocknacarra   0-11

Cian O’Connell at Pearse Stadium

 SUDDENLY one of the great, but unheralded and almost untold stories of Galway football flared to prominence on Saturday evening as Carna-Caiseal claimed a fully deserved senior championship success over a subdued Salthill-Knocknacarra at Pearse Stadium.

While the collision of the 2012 Intermediate and Senior champions had intrigue attached, few would have predicted the ultimate outcome. Sean O Cualain’s Carna-Caiseal, though, had written their own script; in classic underdog fashion they rattled Salthill by being organised, methodical, and, with a flair for the dramatic, netting brilliantly timed goals in either half.

Salthill were flummoxed and miserably short on ideas. Sean Armstrong was immense, their only forward who posed a threat, but with support non existent up front, Carna-Caiseal deployed Seosamh Seoige in a sweeper’s role and he cleaned up, especially in the second half.  Salthill, who had carved out chances early on, were only allowed create six worthwhile opportunities from play after the restart. That was because Carna-Caiseal played the match on their terms – stifling the favourites, who hadn’t the requisite subtlety to survive.

The past decade has been littered with courageous Carna-Caiseal performances, but Salthill-Knocknacarra didn’t seem to heed the warning signs. For sheer heart and honesty alone, Carna deserve credit and respect for marking their return to the highest level by upsetting the supposed standard bearers.

For the holders, it was a scary start to the campaign and while last year’s county title was achieved in a most unSalthill-like fashion, the old failings were familiar here. Without Ruaidhrí McTiernan and Finian Hanley, the backline was short on doggedness and stability as Armstrong was left to carry the fight single handedly. An injury to Seamie Crowe restricted him to a late cameo appearance, but by then Carna-Caiseal knew the upset was very much on.

Dominant at the outset with Armstrong kicking scores off his right and left foot from improbable angles, Salthill had offered flashes of their pedigree and potential. Still for all of Salthill’s brightness, they only led by 0-3 to 0-1 when Carna-Caiseal struck for a hugely controversial goal.

Everyone in the reasonable crowd watched in disbelief as referee PJ Rabbitte allowed play to go on following a quick Sean O Cuirrín free. The Salthill backline were caught out by the confusion and Seosamh O Cathasaigh took maximum advantage drilling a goal that not only boosted Carna-Caiseal’s account with three points, but it gave them a dollop of hope.

Indeed doubt had been put into Salthill minds and within seconds custodian Cormac Connolly had to go down low to smother an O Cuirrín attempt. Injected with optimism, Carna-Caiseal were able to absorb the blows that Armstrong continued to land at the other end.

Carna were bothered by Armstrong’s efficiency, but they still went in at the break on terms, 1-4 to 0-7. That encouraged them and Salthill became increasingly agitated despite two third quarter scores from Armstrong and Gary Cox.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.