For the second time in three years, Moycullen are county champions after defeating a gallant Salthill-Knocknacarra by 1-10 to 1-09 in Pearse Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Moycullen’s first county title came in 2020 during the pandemic in a season when there was no Connacht or All-Ireland series played. The majority of that group were playing again on Sunday, and now they will deservedly get to go on and represent Galway in the Connacht Championship. With the talent on the pitch for Moycullen last Sunday, the sky is the limit.
Thankfully the weather held up reasonably well for this season's final, although there was still a stiff breeze in Pearse Stadium.
Moycullen opted to play with the elements in the first half, but it was the Seasiders who opened the scoring in the second minute when Robert Finnerty converted a close-range free after Tomo Culhane was felled close to the penalty area.
However Dessie Conneely immediately responded for Moycullen as he breezed past two defenders before punching the ball over the bar.
Salthill’s next score put them firmly in the ascendancy as Daniel O’Flaherty’s left-footed effort for a point following a driving run was caught in the breeze, looped over the unfortunate Andrew Power into the back of the net.
Moycullen's Sean Kelly, operating in a more advanced role, scored Moycullen’s second point, while Dessie Conneely and Peter Cooke struck placed balls for Don Connellan’s team to quickly level the game again.
Moycullen were able to take the lead for the first time in the ninth minute when Owen Gallagher’s effort just squeezed between the post before Robert Finnerty and Moycullen centre back David Wynne traded scores.
Then Salthill-Knocknacarra took control, and another Robert Finnerty brace and a Tomo Culhane free left John O’Mahony’s side to a fully merited two-point lead at the interval which was fully merited on the balance of play.
However, Conneely’s frees had Moycullen back level pegging once again as the second half became a more pragmatic affair. Salthill-Knocknacarra added their first score after the break with 17 minutes on the clock when Sean O’Leidhinn used the wind at his back to guide a beautiful kick from the left wing and put his team back in front by one.
Both teams went tit-for-tat over the next 10 minutes as Evan Murphy and substitute Evan Nolan with a brace extended Salthill-Knocknacarra’s advantage to two points, despite Dessie Conneely and Owen Gallagher points.
Then came the game's turning point. In the 56th minute Owen Gallagher’s piercing run resulted in a floating effort, and although dropping short, Peter Cooke connected and fisted into the net. It was the first time Moycullen had led the game since the ninth minute, and a position they would not relinquish as they held on to win by the minimum.
Salthill-Knocknacarra will feel hard done by, based on their performance, but it is hard to argue with a Moycullen victory given the professional manner with which they closed the game out following their goal.
When John O’Mahony and co reflect on the season in the coming weeks, they will be heartened by their team’s improvement across the season and will go into 2023 with fresh optimism.
Elsewhere, in the senior relegation group, St James’ defeated An Cheathru Rua by six points in a 1-10 to 0-07 victory on Saturday afternoon. That results gives the Jimmies a boost in their survival hopes as they now top the relegation group with another set of fixtures upcoming this weekend.
Galway Advertiser SFC Team of the Season
1. Ruairi Lavelle – Salthill-Knocknacarra
Lavelle was a consistent performer throughout the season. His ability to mix his kick-outs was crucial to giving his team a platform from which to attack. Despite the manner of Moycullen’s goal in the final, the accuracy of his kick-outs throughout the campaign ensured Lavelle was still the stand-out goalkeeper of the championship.
2. Michael Moughan – Moycullen
Moughan was tasked with a number of difficult man-marking jobs, none more so than Tomo Culhane who didn’t manage to get a score from play off him in the final. He also popped up with a crucial goal against Claregalway in the quarter-final which proved decisive in the end.
3. Neil Mulcahy – Moycullen
Another strong season from the Moycullen full-back. A difficult day in the final against Finnerty, as would be the case with any defender in the country. His presence and ability at the back allowed Sean Kelly to operate further out the field. Another county medal to add to his Sigerson in 2022.
4. Rory O’Connor – Tuam Stars
O’Connor has been a solid defender at this level for a number of years. He looks to have stepped it up a gear again this season. Tuam’s standout back by a mile, his display against Corofin was his best of the season and he stood up against Moycullen on a tough day for his team.
5. Cathal Sweeney – Salthill-Knocknacarra
This year represented Sweeney’s best with his club to date. Scored some brilliant goals from wing-back, in particular against Annaghdown, and his foraging runs were a feature of his game. Not noted as much for his defending, but he showed serious desire in his last -ditch tackle to block Niall Walsh from scoring a certain goal in the final.
6. Sean Kelly – Moycullen
Running out of superlatives to describe the Galway captain at this stage, Kelly has a relentless engine and was the heartbeat of the Moycullen team. Played a more advanced role for his club and looks comfortable in any position on the pitch. His goal versus Mountbellew-Moylough in the semi-final was the score of the championship.
7. Dylan McHugh – Corofin
Followed up his strong season with Galway to produce for his club. Extremely reliable and his best performances came in Corofin’s most difficult games against Moycullen, Tuam Stars and Mountbellew-Moylough. His lung bursting run from the back set up the goal which had his team inches from a quarter final victory.
8. John Maher – Salthill-Knocknacarra
Not the most stylish player in an exciting Salthill-Knocknacarra team but extremely effective at what he does. Dominant in the air and excellent at spoiling opponents. Generally limited Peter Cooke’s influence on the final in spite of his late goal.
9. Peter Cooke – Moycullen
An all-round class act. He has the physicality to match his ability with the ball in hand. His free-taking from the ground goes under the radar as he possesses serious accuracy and distance. Was ultimately the match-winner in the final and Padraic Joyce will be desperate to get him back into the Galway squad.
10. Owen Gallagher – Moycullen
Missed a number of early round games for Moycullen due to injury, but put straight back in the side once available. His direct style is so difficult for defenders to contain. A brilliant attitude and man of the match in the final with two points from play.
11. Damien Comer – Annaghdown
Annaghdown’s go-to man all season, unsurprisingly. Played every game being double marked and still managed to produce for his team. Carried the charge against Salthill-Knocknacarra as his team just fell short of making the final.
12. Paul Kelly – Moycullen
Excellent in the semi-final against Mountbellew-Moylough and showed a side to his game that had not been seen before by taking his man on and scoring points. A dependable player who gets through a lot of unnoticed work in the middle third.
13. Robert Finnerty – Salthill-Knocknacarra
The standout player of the championship. Whenever the ball is in his hands, he does something eye-catching, whether playing centre forward or full forward. Looks like he can still improve which bodes well for Galway.
1 4. Barry McHugh – Mountbellew-Moylough
Top scorer in the championship with a staggering tally of 2-47. Generally regarded for his free-taking, 2-21 of this came from play. Ten points in a quarter -final against Corofin as he single-handedly won the game.
15. Tomo Culhane – Salthill-Knocknacarra
Really stood up for his team in a couple of big games this season against Tuam Stars when Finnerty went off injured and kicked massive scores against Annaghdown. Struggled to impact the game in the final, but that does not detract from his previous performances. Will be better again in 2023.
