Naomh Anna Leitir Móir have been crowned the Galway intermediate football champions for 2021 after a last-gasp victory over Dunmore MacHales on Saturday afternoon in a rain swept Pearse Stadium.
The Connemara-based club returns to the senior grade at the second time of asking and now goes on to represent Galway in the Connacht series where their next task is to attempt to topple Leitrim champions Dromahair.
There was no shortage of drama in Salthill as Warren Seoige's point deep into injury time sent the Naomh Anna supporters wild.
Dunmore enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges as Brendan Carr and Dylan Brady grabbed points for their side. The first goal of the game came soon after when Naomh Anna Leitir Móir’s colossus of a midfielder, Maitias Ó’Bairéad, stormed through the heart of the Dunmore MacHales' defence, managed to keep his composure, and coolly slotted past Connor Gleeson.
Dunmore responded well as Matthew Reddington and Padraig Costello found their way into the game, picking off scores to regain the lead and control of the match. The north Galway-based side was leading 0-08 to 1-3 heading for the interval when Dylan Brady delivered a blow to Naomh Anna as he rampaged through the middle and blasted the ball to the back of the net.
The breeze favoured NaomhAnna Leitir Móir in the second half, and they used it well, eating into the Dunmore MacHales' lead.
Dylan Seoige, as he has been doing all season, was finding space to put to ball over the bar, and as always was also consistent with his frees. It kept Ciarán Óg Ó Flatharta’s team always within touching distance of their opponents, and when captain Ciarán Ó’Bairéad’s produced an inspirational goal five minutes from the end, it levelled the game.
With all the momentum, there was only going to be one winner. Up stepped young Warren Seoige to send the Naomh Anna Leitir Móir supporters into delirium as the game ended on a scoreline of 2-07 to 1-09.
Dunmore MacHales will be disappointed with the manner in which they let this game slip from being five points up at half-time. They lost this game scoring only a solitary point in the second half which at any level of football is costly. In the end Naomh Anna Leitir Móir were full value for their victory and will be looking to go far in the competition now. For Dunmore MacHales, it is back to the drawing board when they will surely have another big push for promotion next year.
Claregalway were crowned minor A and minor B county champions on Saturday afternoon following two dominant displays in Tuam Stadium. The first game which was played was the B final were Claregalway overcame 12-man Oughterard 2-13 to 1-05. In the second game, the A final, Claregalway beat 14-man Corofin 2-12 to 2-09. The scoreline in the end flattered Corofin as it didn’t accurately reflect Claregalway’s superiority.
There were also two relegation battles played at the weekend. Cortoon Shamrocks will play intermediate in 2022 following their loss to Barna 1-13 to 1-10. St Gabriel’s pulled off an escape yet again and condemned Menlough to junior for 2022 after extra time on a scoreline of 3-10 to 1-10.
