No fairytale ending for new city club as Cappataggle claim minor B title

Date Published: {J}

Cappataggle 2-9

Rahoon/Salthill 0-11

Eoghan Cormican

Cappataggle captured the Pier Head Restaurant County minor B hurling crown, their second such title and first for 55 years, at Kenny Park Athenry on Sunday, overcoming the determined challenge of Rahoon/Salthill.

In what was the first year of the amalgamation of Rahoon/ Newcastle and Salthill/Knocknacarra, there was to be no fairytale ending for the city clubs as two goals either side of half time ensured Cappataggle added the Minor title to the U21 crown secured earlier in the year.

Rahoon/Salthill will be gutted by this result for they had ample scoring opportunities to seize the initiative in the second period, but 11 wides, seven in the second half, tells its own story. That’s not to take from Cappataggle’s impressive performance however, underpinned by the razor sharp accuracy of left half forward Darragh Dolan, a member of Galway’s all-conquering minor side.

If Dolan and company, though, showed a keen eye for the target up front, then credit to the Cappataggle rearguard for their unrelenting tenacity and staunchness at the back. Full-back David Shaughnessy dealt more than adequately with the threat of Rahoon/ Salthill sharpshooter Conor O’Shea, while Paul Claffey, in sweeping behind the two half backs, proved hugely effective.

In any event, neither side were found wanting for passion or commitment in the early exchanges and Darragh Dolan opened the scoring after Sean Garvey shipped a hefty shoulder from Gavin Hayes, son of Galway hurling legend Conor, before Eanna Garvey registered their second, latching onto a booming clearance out of defence from Claffey.

The first quarter was just over when Rahoon/Salthill struck for their first score of the match, a well-taken point from corner forward Damian Connaughton, before Conor O’Shea squared up proceedings after Shaughnessy was penalised for over carrying.

Eighteen minutes in, Connaughton fired over his second to edge Rahoon/Salthill ahead for the first time and the city side doubled their advantage when Mark Naughton’s ground stroke dissected the posts.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.