Salthill Knocknacarra's U-14 footballers prove triumphant in Co. Feile

SALTHILL-Knocknacarra U14 footballers emerged triumphant in the 2012 Galway Feile competition after overcoming Claregalway in the final last weekend.

The Salthill boys hosted Moycullen, Loughrea and Oughterard in their group games and it was the boys from East Galway who gave them most difficulty on the field.

Having overcome Moycullen, Salthill’s next game was a less one-sided affair as a physically imposing Loughrea side sought to power their way through the SK defence.

Sterling work by Joe Tinney and Callum Heapes stemmed many of the loughrea incursions and points at the other end from Daragh Ward, Paddy Culhane and Shane Kelly gave Salthill a 0-9 to 0-3 win, though not without captain and goalkeeper David Patten being pressed into action on occasions.

The last group game against Oughterard was a low key affair as Salthill romped home on a 5-9 to 2-0 scoreline. Salthill then travelled to Furbo pitch to play section A winners, Barna.

Played at 6pm on Saturday evening, some fatigue and casual ball watching left SK playing catch up once a dipping free from Barna found the back of the net. Salthill retained the majority of possession but a combination of gutsy and determined Barna defending and numerous missed chances ensured it was a tight affair.

Fortunately, Robert Finnerty, playing at full forward on his 14th birthday, goaled and goaled and while Barna added a free, Finnerty found the net again, ensuring Salthill-Knockncarra led at half time by 2-2 to 1-1.

Barna opened the scoring with an excellent point by Ross Murphy after the break, and they were being cheered on by an enthusiastic home crowd. It was nip and tuck between the sides, as Barna's accurate free taking was nullified by points from Culhane.

Reduced to 14 players, SK continued to thwart a now frustrated Barna side and when substitute Adam Fitzgerald pointed twice, Salthill were through to the Feile final on a 2-6 to 1-7 scoreline.Claregalway emerged as winners over Mountbellew in the other semi-final, interestingly on the same scoreline, and both squads lined out for the final in Tuam Stadium at 3pm on Sunday.

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