Caltra retain SFC status as Mannions feature in win over Leitir Móir
A year after securing promotion as Intermediate champions, Caltra delivered when it mattered most in Saturday’s Senior relegation final at Pearse Stadium, defeating Naomh Anna, Leitir Móir 3-12 to 1-15 to preserve their SFC status.
From outstanding goalkeeper Odhran Loughrey to the inside line of Alan Naughton, Shaun Keane and Kelan Murray, who contributed 2-8 between them, this was a performance that matched the occasion.
Sure, the early arrival of substitutes Padraic and Cathal Mannion – with their hurling obligations over – just added to their strength, and apart from the opening minutes, they led for the majority of the game.
For Naomh Anna Leitir Móir the outcome was disappointing as they struggled to impose themselves on the game. Brothers Oisin and Fionn Mac Donnacha contributed a healthy 1-12 between them in the full-forward line, but they seldom got the service that their talents justified.
Credit Caltra on this score as they dropped sufficient bodies back to deny them space, and with the game in the balance in the latter stages, they continued to frustrate the Connemara side as their second-half tally of just 1-6 was a poor reflection of their ability.
Also, having drawn level early in the second-half they hit a scoreless 18 minute spell that allowed Caltra open up a five point gap that was enough of a cushion to see them survive. The opening quarter of the contest was reasonably balanced with a Kelan Murray goal for Caltra the decisive score as they led by 1-3 to 0-3.
Naomh Anna had plenty of opportunities for goal chances but fluffed them all, as Loughrey produced save after save – including a penalty stop to thwart Tomas Ó Curraoin.
A second Caltra goal on 22 minutes, hammered home by Shaun Murray, gave them a six point advantage, but two pointers from Oisin Mac Donnacha (free) and Fionn Mac Donnacha kept Naomh Anna in it, though Caltra led by 2-6 to 0-9 at the break after facing the elements in the opening half.
A Tomas Ó Curraoin point and a two point free by Oisin Mac Donnacha quickly levelled matters on the restart, but the scoreless spell gave them no chance of success. At the other end a Cathal Mannion goal strengthened the Caltra position, while he was denied another by a smashing save by Micheál Óg Ó Tuathail. Points by Keane, Owen Naughton, Cillian McPhilips and a two-point effort from Alan Naughton then eased them well clear.
The Connemara spirit was not found wanting either, as Oisin Mac Donnacha converted two frees, while one from play by brother Fionn kept them within range. A last-minute goal by Fionn Mac Donnacha closed matters to three points, but by then Caltra had laid down the foundation for the win, as Naomh Anna Leitir Móir face the drop to the Intermediate grade for the first time since 2021.
Caltra: O Loughrey; A Doyle, S Loughrey, D McCabe; S Butler, O Butler (0-1), J Barrett; O Naughton (0-1), M Mulryan; J Muldowney, E O'Ceallaigh, R Hannon (0-1); A Naughton (0-7, 0-1f, 2pp) S Keane (1-1), K Murray (1-0). Subs: P Mannion for Doyle (15mins), C Mannion (1-0) for Muldowney (31mins), R Greene for Hannon (44mins), C McPhillips (0-1) for Keane (58mins), E, Naughton for Barrett (60mins).
Naomh Anna Leitir Móir: M Óg Ó Tuathail; M Ó Cualáin, SA Ó Ceallaigh, E Mac Donnacha; J Ó Griofa, C Seoighe, E Ó Flatharta; ME Ó Bairéad (0-2), PS Ó Ceallaigh; C Ó Catháin, W Seoighe, T Ó Curraoin (0-1); D Seoighe, O Mac Donnacha (0-8, 0-3f, 2x2pf), F Mac Donnacha (1-4, 2pp). Subs: PS Mac Donncha for Dylan Seoighe (48mins), E Ó Fátharta for PS Ó Ceallaigh (49mins), I Ó Curraoin for Ó Catháin (51mins), K Ó Ceallaigh for Ó Griofa (55mins), Darren Seoighe for Ó Flatharta (57mins).
Referee: Christopher Ryan.