New recruit Lavelle to the rescue for Salthill in dogfight

Salthill-Knocknacarra 1-10

Killannin 0-13

ONE of the biggest talking points ahead of this year’s senior football championship was the acquisition of county goalkeeper Ruairi Lavelle by Salthill-Knocknacarra and, by the end of the first round of action, the Inishbofin native remained in the spotlight as his last gasp free from just inside the Killannin half gained his new team a hard fought draw.

Despite going into the game as firm favourites, Anthony Finnerty’s charges found themselves behind for practically the whole game and were trailing by seven points with just 18 minutes remaining when a Sean Armstrong goal reignited their eventual comeback.

The Connemara outfit came out all guns blazing and were in front by the second minute, a great crossfield ball from Niall Walsh picking out county star Jonny Heaney who easily left his marker for dust and fisted it over when he could have easily went for goal.

The city side failed to win the resulting kick out, leading to Heaney doubling their lead almost instantly, while a sweeping team move involving Ronan Caldwell, David Walsh and Patrick Sweeney saw Heaney get his third from play to add to his impressive early tally.

David Melia’s side was also impressing from a defensive point of view, the constant pressure and ability to defend in packs making it very difficult for Salthill and forcing them into endless phases of passes well out of scoring range.

Rob Finnerty was drafted in as an extra midfielder at times, giving John Maher and Michael Kitt an outlet to quickly turn defence into attack but even when in range it seemed as though the men in sky blue had forgotten their shooting boots and they would fail to score in the opening 20 minutes.

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