Seasiders tipped to outshine Stars in semi-final tie
Date Published: {J}
Dara Bradley
The Salthill/Knocknacarra senior football team resume championship action for the first time in almost 10 weeks as they attempt to reach a first county final since 2005 when they face Tuam Stars in the semi-final at Pearse Stadium this Sunday (2pm).
The city outfit are favourites to advance to meet Corofin in the county decider based on their impressive run in the championship to date, although the long lay-off since their last championship outing must be a cause for concern.
Another worry for Salthill/Knocknacarra is that their form has slumped since their previous two championship matches in August – they were hammered by 10 points by Sunday’s opponents in the Prairie during a league encounter recently, which could give the underdogs a psychological edge.
Manager Gerry Hughes has no major injury concerns, although doubts remain over the fitness of corner-back/wing-back Derek Flaherty (ankle), while one of the star forwards in the campaign to date, Tom Burke, is carrying a groin injury but is expected to feature from the beginning or off the bench.
Captain Finian Hanley’s selection in the Ireland’s International Rules squad that travels to Australia this month has no bearing on this match; but should Salthill/Knocknacarra advance to a final, he could be missing depending on when the final is fixed.
Salthill/Knocknacarra have been installed favourites on the back of their two impressive wins over Moycullen and reigning champions Killererin in the previous two rounds – their forwards were on fire both those days and scored an average of 3-14 over the two matches (4-12 V Moycullen; 2-16 v Killererin).
“Since our last championship outing we’ve been very patchy so we need to improve,” said Hughes. Tuam Stars are bidding to reach the senior county final for the first time since 1995 – they went into that encounter as reigning champions but were dethroned by Corofin.Tuam made hard work of disposing of Mountbellew/Moylough in last Sunday’s quarter-final replay and they’ll need to improve immeasurably to reach their first decider in 16 years.
For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.