Finnerty’s minors prove different class to Moycullen in divisional decider

Salthill-Knocknacarra 5-17

Moycullen 1-5

MUCH expectation is attached to this group of Salthill-Knocknacarra footballers who cruised to an emphatic West Board Minor A success at Pearse Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It proved to be a demoralising hour for Moycullen, who were blitzed by a particularly promising Salthill-Knocknacarra outfit. The only significant issue for Salthill-Knocknacarra is the fact that they must now tussle with a quality Mountbellew-Moylough side in the county decider having annihilated every team they’ve faced out west.

The match with Mountbellew-Moylough features a string of interesting subplots as Salthill-Knocknacarra senior boss Val Daly is also in charge of the North Board side. Daly has vast knowledge and faith in Salthill-Knocknacarra’s youngsters as four sampled senior championship action under his direction this summer.

Salthill-Knocknacarra’s minors are managed by Anthony Finnerty, who has put in serious work at underage level with the City club in the underage grades during the past decade. Titles are beginning to be accumulated, but the upcoming encounter with Mountbellew-Mountbellew will offer a greater insight into how good Salthill-Knocknacarra really are.

Dominant throughout the pitch, Salthill-Knocknacarra controlled the first half departing at the break armed with a deserved 1-9 to 0-4 advantage. It was a clinical and classy forward display from Salthill who scored ten of their dozen opening period attempts.

That high strike rate ensured Moycullen were being put under severe pressure to stay competitive in a contest that was dictated by Paul Butler’s energy. Repeatedly creating opportunities ,Butler’s willingness to work meant that a lively Salthill-Knocknacarra attack were being fed plenty of quality possession.

Not even the early departure of influential midfielder John Maher could disturb Salthill-Knocknacarra, who quickly seized the initiative. Even though Moycullen dropped men deep, their defence was still stretched initially as they fouled Salthill-Knocknacarra on three occasions in the scoring zone inside five minutes.

Those frees were expertly drilled over by Robert Finnerty and Evan Murphy (2) as Salthill-Knocknacarra’s intent was briskly signalled. There was a brief interuption when Sean Kelly, eager to involve himself, clipped a fine Moycullen point, but Salthill-Knocknacarra replied.

Five more points from Salthill-Knocknacarra gave them a commanding 0-8 to 0-1 lead by the 21st minute. In that brilliant burst, evidence of their swift movement and quick hands was available as Moycullen struggled.

Ronan Halloran and Shane Casserly landed points before a delightful 13th minute exchange culminated with a fisted Marcus MacDonnacha score. That was a demonstration of Salthill-Knocknacarra’s considerable prowess, but Moycullen improved slightly as the interval approached.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.