Salthill men to win bragging rights in city football derby

 PRIDE was restored to Galway football with the comprehensive win over Roscommon last weekend and there will be plenty of pride at stake when St Michael’s take on Salthill-Knocknacarra in the Claregalway Hotel senior football championship at Pearse Stadium on Sunday (2pm).

These neighbours on the west side of the city have been intense local rivals at underage levels down through the years, but this is the first time the clubs are set to clash in the senior championship since the Shantalla, Busy Park, and Westside men won promotion three years ago.

“Salthill would be our greatest rivals at underage and these were the kind of days we looked forward to when we won promotion from the Intermediate grade,” said St Michael’s manager Peter Curran this week.

Salthill-Knocknacarra, featuring county stars Finian Hanley and Sean Armstrong, are bidding to regain the title they last won seven years ago and will start as firm favourites against the 5/1 outsiders in the first part of a triple bill of senior ties at the Stadium.

“It is not an easy game for us,” admitted Salthill manager Gerry Hughes. “We might be favourites to win it, but we will not be taking the St Michael’s challenge lightly and there is a great rivalry, as well as great friendship, between the two clubs.”

The growing strength of Gaelic football in the city is evident in the status of St James’, from Renmore and Mervue, as firm favourites to overcome Killanin at the same venue tomorrow evening. St James’ shocked county kingpins Corofin in the recent county U-21 final, dishing out a 1-19 to 2-7 hiding to their fancied rivals.

Their attack is led by Paul Conroy, who scored 1-4 against Roscommon in a Man of the Match performance. Another city side, Bearna, will hope to overcome An Cheathru Rua in the second part of the Saturday night double bill at the Salthill venue.

For a preview of all games see this week's Tribune