Salthill spark in extra time to capture West Board title

Salthill-Knocknacarra 1-13

Moycullen 0-11

(AET)

Patrick Flaherty  in Loughgeorge

AN extra time surge of energy proved decisive for Salthill-knocknacarra as they came from behind to lift the Minor A West Board football title at a cold and windy Loughgeorge on Tuesday evening.

Moycullen led for the majority of normal time, but it was the city outfit which showed superior fitness in extra time as they outscored them by 1-4 to 0-2 to book their place in the county final.

From the off the game was played at a surprisingly slow pace, Salthill deploying two sweepers as they tried to contain their opponents, however they did concede five frees within the first four minutes.

Moycullen were forced to work hard for their scores as they went through the phases, working the ball from midfield into scorable positions as they tried to draw frees, taking the lead courtesy of a Paul Kelly placed ball on nine minutes.

Salthill/Knocknacarra favoured going long with a strong breeze to back them up, usually trying to pick out county player Tomo Culhane, although he and his full forward line were well marshalled by an impressive  oppositionb defence in the first half.

Ultan Sheerin eventually broke through the Moycullen rearguard on 11 minutes and it was their only point from play in normal time, the first half in general being plagued by missed opportunities as only six scores were registered from 16 chances.

Two in a row midway through the half from Kelly and Ciaran Moran gave Moycullen a small cushion they kept for most of the contest, a point apiece from placed balls late on leaving it 0-4 to 0-2 at the break.

The boys in green and white kept the scoreboard ticking with Daniel Cox and Kelly finishing off great team moves, yet it was Norman Costello’s troops that began dominating possession as four frees from the boot of Culhane drew the sides level for just the second time on 43 minutes.

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