Dunmore MacHales recorded their first provincial championship victory when overcoming Sligo champions St Molaise Gaels by 1-10 to 0-08 in Tuam Stadium on Saturday.
Although it had been three weeks since they recorded their county final victory over Kilconly, there was no sign of rustiness in Gary Delaney’s team as the cobwebs were well and truly dusted off given the manner of their performance.
Backed by large numbers by their loyal supporters, they now advance to the Connacht semi-final where they face Mayo champions Ballyhaunis this Saturday afternoon in McHale Park Castlebar at 3pm.
In the Galway decider, Dunmore MacHales had begun the brighter, racing into a twopoint lead thanks to points from a Jake Slattery free and Matthew Reddington from play.
As St Molaise eventually got to the pitch of the game, the sides traded three points each over the course of the next 12 minutes. Michael Langan from a free, Cathal Herron from play, and Alan McLoughlin from a free also were on target for the Sligo champions. Padraig Costello, Matthew Reddington and Shane McGrath were on target for Dunmore MacHales all from play as they looked the more fluid of the two teams.
However, neither side scored from the 17th to the 27th minute before star man Matthew Reddington got the all-important score of the day three minutes from the break. The centre forward exchanged a one-two with Thomas Gleeson before drilling the ball low into the bottom corner of the net, giving Dunmore a 1-05 to 0-03 lead at the break.
A black card to Reddington at the beginning of the second half slowed Dunmore MacHale’s momentum as they shut up shop for 10 minutes, but St Molaise Gaels failed to make any inroads.
Eventually, 15 minutes into the second half with equal numbers restored, James Heraghty raised a white flag for Jimmy Langan’s team, which was quickly followed with a point from substitute Keelan Waters, reducing Dunmore’s lead to a goal.
Dunmore responded with three points, sharply stopping a comeback from the Sligo title-holders. From that point Gary Delaney’s team easily closed out the game to book their spot in the Connacht semi-final. However, there was a straight red card for midfielder Conor Mitchell in the last moments of the game, which was the only disappointment for Dunmore MacHales on what was a good day.
There were also two fixtures in the last round of the senior relegation group which needed to be settled.
Oughterard were more or less confirmed as safe before their contest with the already relegated An Cheathru Rua, and Oughterard undoubtedly confirm their fate with a resounding 4-11 to 1-08 victory over their Connemara counterparts to confirm their senior status for the 2023 season.
The other fixture between Monivea-Abbey and St James' took place in Tuam Stadium on Sunday afternoon when the winner would take all and play senior in 2023, the loser relegated to intermediate. It was the Jimmies who prevailed, coming out on top by the tightest of margins, 0-08 to 0-07.
