Armstrong’s last-gasp point sends city side into last four

Claregalway 1-9

Stephen Glennon at Tuam Stadium

A point in the third minute of injury-time from the versatile Gearoid Armstrong snatched Salthill/Knocknacarra victory over an unlucky Claregalway in an entertaining quarter-final clash played at Tuam Stadium on Sunday.

This game was all about the finish. First, Salthill/Knocknacarra tallied three unanswered points through substitute Paddy Culhane and Robert Finnerty (play and free) to come from behind to take the lead approaching full-time before Claregalway then levelled through substitute Conor Flaherty on 60 minutes.

It was in the proverbial melting pot at this stage, but when a loose ball fell to Claregalway corner forward Barry Goldrick in the second minute of injury-time, he elected to draw on it off the ground rather than pick it up and, perhaps, get a shot off out of the hands or, maybe even, win a free. As it was, his shot went wide.

On the resulting kickout, Salthill/Knocknacarra worked the ball up the field and Culhane set up Armstrong for the winning score. Within moments, referee Gerald Anthony Lohan blew the final whistle to spark scenes of joy for the city side and devastation for a Claregalway contingent that had given so much to the 2019 senior football championship.

Salthill/Knocknacarra, though, probably did just deserve it on the balance of play. Their press on their opponents in the middle third worked well while, crucially, they dominated on the Claregalway kickout for most of the second period.

They had to, given they themselves were so wayward in their shooting in this time. Along with not putting sufficient scores on the board, their wastefulness was also handing possession back to a Claregalway outfit well able to play ball. That Salthill/Knocknacarra were able to put the squeeze on them on the restarts negated the damage somewhat, as it deprived Claregalway of opportunities to run at them.

In addition, both sides were guilty of far too many turnovers against them. Consequently, with attacks continually breaking down, both teams were never able to generate any great momentum while it also meant that the respective totals were always likely to be low – neither team posted what could be considered a comfortable match-winning scoreline.

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