Commins holds his nerve to snatch title for Claregalway

Salthill Knocknacarra 0-8

A Páraic Commins free seven minutes into injury-time secured Claregalway their first U20 football county championship title following a hard-earned win over Salthill/Knocknacarra at a cold Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, on Sunday.

Having led by four points at one stage in the third quarter, Claregalway had to fend off a determined late rally by Salthill/Knocknacarra as the City outfit outscored the victors by five points to one between the 45th minute and the first minute of injury-time to level up the contest for only the second time.

It was frantic fare by this stage, with a timely intervention by Claregalway defender Dylan Buckley in the second minute of injury-time denying what looked like a certain scoring opportunity — and the lead score — for Salthill/Knocknacarra.

Moments later, Claregalway won a free out near the sideline on their opponents 21 but after Commins and Conor Walsh spent too much time deliberating over it, referee Padraig Kelly decided to throw the ball up for time-wasting. It was all happening.

In the ensuing passage of play, Claregalway managed to keep Salthill/Knocknacarra pinned inside their own third and Walsh won the free that was ultimately to decide the game. Commins stepped up and with his left peg — and ice in the veins — he lofted the ball over the bar for the winning score.

Salthill/Knocknacarra did have one more opportunity in the eighth minute of stoppage time to land an equaliser, but Paddy Culhane’s effort dropped agonisingly short. Dual star Walsh carried the ball out of the Claregalway defence and away from danger to the joyous tune of the final whistle.

While there was little between the teams on the scoreboard, or in quality, Claregalway did enough on the day to edge it. They led for the most of the contest – from the 15th minute until injury-time – and in the likes of Buckley, Dara Whelan, Walsh, man of the match Commins, who kicked all nine of Claregalway’s points, and the lively Nathan Grainger, they had players who dominated.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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