Salthill Knocknacarra hold off Ballinamore to reach Connacht semi-final

The Galway champions were strong favourites to book their place in the Connacht semi-final, but Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s made them work hard for their victory. Salthill Knocknacarra managed to maintain their advantage for much of the contest, although the Leitrim champions threatened to pull off a major upset.

It was Salthill Knocknacarra’s first outing since their county final triumph over Maigh Cuilinn two weeks earlier. Tomo Culhane was the hero on that occasion, scoring a late goal to secure the Galway SFC title for the first time since 2012.

Cillian O’Toole and Tomo Culhane were drafted into the starting XV, while Daniel O’Flaherty was only fit enough to make an appearance from the bench. Credit must go to Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s, who threw everything at their opponents and remained in contention deep into the second half. Robert Finnerty and Tomo Culhane led the scoring in attack with 1-3 apiece, while wing-back Cathal Sweeney contributed four points for the winners.

Cathal Sweeney and Tomo Culhane, with a two-pointer, registered early scores for Finian Hanley’s side. However, the Leitrim champions kept in touch through Tom Prior before Paul Honeyman raised an orange flag to leave the sides level at 0-3 apiece after five minutes.

Salthill Knocknacarra began to settle into the contest, with Cillian O’Toole and corner-back Dara Conneely moving them four points clear. Culhane then added another two-pointer to put the Seasiders 0-7 to 0-3 ahead at the end of the opening quarter.

Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s refused to go away and were rewarded when Honeyman’s 45 dropped short and goalkeeper Ruairí Lavelle spilled the ball, allowing Dylan Byrne to react quickest and finish to the net.

Hanley’s charges responded impressively, hitting 1-2 in the space of four minutes. An excellent finish from Robert Finnerty helped stretch their advantage to 1-9 to 1-3 on 26 minutes.

However, the Leitrim side landed a timely score on the stroke of half-time, with Paul Moran registering a two-pointer to leave Salthill Knocknacarra leading by 1-9 to 1-6 at the interval.

Honeyman and a point from Shane Mornan brought the sides level at 1-9 apiece just three minutes into the second half. Salthill Knocknacarra remained composed, with Robert Finnerty restoring their lead before Thompson played a ball into Colm Finnerty, who finished to the Ballinamore net. Thompson then added a two-pointer as the Galway champions moved 2-12 to 1-9 ahead on 38 minutes.

The men in yellow and green continued to battle, with two points from Honeyman and another effort from Niall McGovern reducing the deficit to 2-15 to 1-13 by the 51st minute.

When Leitrim footballer Tom Prior found the net past Lavelle, the contest appeared to be heading for a dramatic finish. However, Ballinamore suffered a major setback when Honeyman received a second yellow card on 52 minutes.

Sweeney then gave the Galway champions some breathing room before Culhane smashed the ball into the roof of the net to put the result beyond doubt.

Ballinamore battled until the end, but the four-time Galway champions held on to secure a hard-fought victory and book their place in the Connacht semi-final. Salthill Knocknacarra now look forward to a Connacht semi-final against St Brigids of Roscommon next Sunday in Pearse Stadium.

SALTHILL KNOCKNACARRA: Ruairi Lavelle; Dara Conneely (0-1), Damien Kiely, Evan Wynne (0-1); Paddy Kitt, Mark Mannion, Cathal Sweeney (0-4); John Maher, Michael Kitt; Cillian O’Toole (0-1), Matthew Thompson (0-3, tp), Mikey Mullery; Tomo Culhane (1-3, 0-2 tpf), Robert Finnerty (1-3, 0-2f), Colm Finnerty (1-0).