Mountbellew/Moylough minors end long title famine

Mountbellew/Moylough 1-9

Salthill/Knocknacarra 0-6

AS comebacks go, this was fairytale stuff. Patrick Keaveney, sidelined with a broken leg since February, came on as a substitute and bagged the game’s only goal to secure Mountbellew/Moylough’s first minor ‘A’ football championship title in 46 years.

Keaveney scored 1-1 off the bench on his return to competitive action in the semi-final against Corofin, and the crafty forward struck again on the biggest stage of the year, in the county final at Tuam Stadium on Sunday, to dash the hopes of Salthill/Knocknacarra.

It was the decisive score. Full-forward Eoin Finnerty, who was instrumental in setting up several scores for Mountbellew/Moylough, pumped a high ball into the square – possibly a shot at the posts that went awry – and Keaveney was on hand to finish.

That three-pointer put the result beyond doubt entering the final few minutes although Mattie Giblin’s charges always appeared in control of this decider, as they led from pillar to post.

Salthill/Knocknacarra, after a sluggish start, did keep plugging away and never threw in the towel, but they were second best for large chunks of the game as Mountbellew/Moylough were simply too good, and dominant in key positions.

Michael Daly was highly influential at midfield, Colin Ryan had a massive game at wing-back, and Finnerty up-front was the most threatening forward, wreaking havoc on the Salthill defence.

Michael Foley, in goals, pulled off at least two top-class saves, and Mark Mannion and Gerard Donoghue were solid in a defence that held the city side to just four points from play.

Centre-forward Colm Mannion, who showed leadership by memorably blocking a shot from Cian Shaughnessy, setting the tone in the opening exchanges, was busy throughout.

Elsewhere, the likes of Leo Donnellan, who raised two white flags from play in the first half, and the lively Colin Murray, were prominent at various stages for the winners.