Joyce show leaves Salthill in a spin

Date Published: {J}

Killererin 0-16

Salthill / Knocknacarra 1-10

Alan Dooley

THE cool heads and unerring accuracy of Padraic and Nicky Joyce helped Killererin justify favouritism and see off the dogged challenge of Salthill-Knocknacarra in an entertaining third round encounter in the Galway senior football championship at Tuam Stadium on Sunday.

With the game in the melting pot going into the final quarter, the experienced duo once more came to the fore and shared their side’s final four points to quench a spirited Salthill fightback which would have overpowered many a lesser outfit than the Barnaderg natives.

Trailing by seven after an astonishing run of unanswered points from Killererin either side of the interval, Salthill midfielder John Boylan’s excellent 39th minute goal lit the touchpaper for a revival that quickly had them within a single point when Peter Fahy raised another white flag at the Stockwell end.

But when Killererin were awarded a debatable free 15 minutes from time, Nicky Joyce calmly did the needful before his cousin Padraic landed the score of the game three minutes later to reassert Killererin’s grip on proceedings. A straight red card for Salthill’s Seamus Crowe did little to help their push for parity towards the end, and Killererin eventually held on to emerge as worthy winners.

It took time for them to get into their stride, though, as only a neat Thomas Flynn point was registered in the opening 12 minutes. By contrast, Salthill were flying as John Boylan and Conor Healy dictated the tempo in midfield, and after Seamus Crowe opened their account in the second minute, Healy had a hand in their second, fisting a long clearance for Peter Fahy to dart onto and score.

Brian Conlon then added to Salthill’s tally before his ‘keeper, Greg Rodgers, was called on to make a fine save when Gerard Butler punched a high Tommie Wilson delivery goalwards from close range. Boylan then made it 4-1 when his left footed effort clipped a post but snuck over, before Gerard Butler and Nicky Joyce hit back with well-taken points for Killererin.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.