Salthill-Knocknacarra finally stand up to show real worth

Salthill-Knocknacarra 3-13

Barna 1-8

Gerard Mulreaney at Pearse Stadium

SALTHILL-Knocknacarra finally produced the sort of football everyone knows they’re capable of as they secured their senior status with a comfortable win in Pearse Stadium on Sunday, while at the same time forcing Barna into the relegation playoffs.

Following successive defeats to Caherlistrane and Monivea-Abbey, Conor McGauran’s men simply had to beat Barna in their final group game if they were to avoid a relegation battle.

The conditions were difficult, with a very slippy surface and a stiff breeze, which aided Barna in the opening half. However, it was Salthill-Knocknacarra who got off to the perfect start when Mikey Culhane muscled his way past corner back Caimin Rooney. The ball was played into Robert Finnerty along the end line, and he blasted his left foot shot past James Keane in the Barna goal.

Donal O Cualáin opened Barna’s account on six minutes when he tapped over a free in front of the posts after Gearóid Armstrong fouled Declan Walsh.

Salthill-Knocknacarra were playing patient football, moving the ball crisply from left to right trying to find an opening, and on ten minutes they almost produced a second goal. Robert Waltzer found Evan Murphy in front of goal, but his left footed shot was expertly saved by Keane.

Not much was going Barna’s way early in the game, as they struggled to go with the tempo of their opponents.

Robert Finnerty was in inspired form, scoring 2-6 on the day, and he combined with Brian Conlon to score a point before Gearóid Armstrong got a splendid score. Armstrong initially fell over in the tackle, but he managed to get back up and send a sweet left-footed shot over the bar.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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