PICTURES: Salthill Knocknacarra’s last Connacht SFC clash with St Brigid’s

The sides last met in the 2012 Connacht SFC semi-final when St Brigid’s defeated Salthill Knocknacarra 0-15 to 0-8 at Pearse Stadium. Brian Conlon remains the only survivor from the Salthill Knocknacarra team 14 years on, while Senan Kilbride and Ronan Stack are the only survivors from the St Brigid’s team. Salthill Knocknacarra manager manager Finian Hanley and his selectors Gary Cox, John Boylan and Sean Armstrong were also part of that team.

Salthill Knocknacarra were made work all the way for their 3-16 to 2-15 over Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins in the Connacht Senior Football quarter-final on last Sunday afternoon in Carrick On-Shannon.

Cillian O’Toole and Tomo Culhane were drafted into the starting XV last weekend, while Daniel O’Flaherty was only fit enough to make an appearance from the bench. Credit must go to Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s, who threw everything at their opponents and remained in contention deep into the second half. Culhane and Robert Finnerty stood out in attack scoring 2-6 between them while wing-back Cathal Sweeney contributed four points for the winners.

St Brigid’s cruised to a compromprehensive 2-24 to 0-9 victory over St Mary’s of Sligo in the Connacht SFC quarter-final on Saturday afternoon. Ben O’Caroll and Bobby Nugent combined for an impressive 2-11 between them as the Roscommon champions booked their place into the last four of the Connacht Championship.

Former Mayo senior football selector Damien Mulligan is into his first year in charge of the Kiltoom based club having replaced Anthony Cunningham as manager of the club. St Brigid’s have competed in two of the last three All-Ireland finals where they have suffered defeats to Glen in 2024 and to Dingle in 2026.