Salthill out of sorts!
Date Published: 12-Nov-2012
AN out-of-sorts Salthill / Knocknacarra outfit succumbed to the might of reigning Connacht club champions, St Brigid’s, at Pearse Stadium over the weekend and bowed out of the title race with the club’s first ever defeat in the senior provincial series.
The Roscommon champions from Kiltoom recorded their third win over Galway title holders in as many seasons in this competition, as the visitors’ greater experience helped them to a seven points, 0-8 to 0-15, win that keeps them on course for a three-in-a-row of Connacht championships.
Seven years ago in a provincial decider at the same venue and against the same opposition, veteran full-forward Frankie Dolan was anonymous for St Brigid’s but, on Sunday, the former Roscommon county player was deadly accurate from placed balls punishing the city side for every defensive indiscretion with five converted frees and a ‘45 for good measure.
Ill-discipline aside, Salthill also struggled to get parity of possession at centre-field and from kick-outs, an area where a more physical and mobile St Brigid’s outfit outmuscled the hosts, in an area of the field where man-of-the-match Ian Kilbride was particularly effective.
Salthill had to field without former Roscommon captain, midfielder Gary Cox, who was excellent in their county final win over Tuam Stars last month, and another consistently solid performer, corner back Ruaidhri McTiernan; and then their attack was severely blunted when sharpshooter Seamus Crowe hobbled off with injury after just six minutes.
The loss of those three ‘big name’ players would dent the chances of any team but in fairness to St Brigid’s, managed by RTÉ Gaelic Football pundit Kevin McStay, they deserved the win.
Salthill settled early and the teams were tied 0-3 apiece in the opening ten minutes but St Brigid’s then took a foothold in the middle third of the field where they appeared hungrier for the breaks. Centre-field dominance laid the foundation for the Roscommon men to score five unanswered points.
For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.