Salthill U-21 footballers finish in blaze of glory

St Michaels 1-7

A brilliant closing ten minutes was enough to see Salthill/Knocknacarra crowned U-21 A West champions in this closely contested replay on Monday.

St Michael’s had no response to a late flurry of scores from their opponents as they came up just short.

The close nature of the game was not truly reflected on the final scoreboard. Despite trailing for most of the game, Salthill/Knocknacarra scored three points in second half injury time to ensure victory. In fact, they outscored their opponents 0-10 to 0-3 in the second half, illustrating how well they played in the final 30 minutes.

Both sides struggled to get going early minutes as the wet and windy conditions threatened to spoil the game as a spectacle. Salthill/Knocknacarra’s Sean Hughes, who was influential throughout, got the game’s first score after nine minutes. St Michael’s soon kicked into gear, however, and led 0-4 to 0-2 after 25 minutes, with Eamon Brannigan and Damien Connaughton contributing well.

St. Michael’s got what looked to be a crucial goal in the closing seconds of the half. Full forward Connaughton was pulled down inside the small square as he advanced on goal. He stepped up to take the resulting penalty and tucked it away smartly to give his side a four point lead at half time, 1-4 to 0-3.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.