Spectacular coup for Salthill club as O’Mahony takes over senior team

SALTHILL/Knocknacarra have pulled off a spectacular coup by enticing former Galway manager John O’Mahony to take over the club’s senior footballers.

O’Mahony, who guided the county to All-Ireland glory in 1998 and 2001, will bring a wealth of experience to his new role with Salthill/Knocknacarra.

With a proven track record at inter-county level – the Mayo native also led Leitrim to only their second ever Connacht triumph in 1994 – O’Mahony will relish the opportunity of reviving Salthill’s fortunes.

County champions in 1990, 2005 and ‘12, Salthill/Knocknacarra’s last final appearance came in 2016 when they lost out to a Corofin team at the peak of their power.

O’Mahony takes over the managerial reins from former Salthill player Conor McGauran, who had been prececded in that role by Val Daly and Anthony Finnerty.

With his management team still to be finalised, O’Mahony’s appointment will surely ignite a group of players who are perceived to have under-performed in recent years, especially in 2021.

Salthill/Knocknacarra only avoided the relegation tangle after winning their final group outing against Bearna.

They had suffered earlier defeats to Caherlistrane and Monivea/Abbey in what had turned out to be a disappointing campaign.

With Corofin no longer the force of old; champions Mounbellew-Moylough having to regroup after a controversial Connacht Club semi-final defeat to Peases of Roscommon; and Moycullen with something to prove after losing their title in 2021; O’Mahony’s timing in getting involved with Salthill/Knocknacarra could turn out to be perfect for the former All-Ireland club champions (2005).