Mountbellew/Moylough were far superior to Salthill/Knocknacarra on Sunday at Tuam Stadium in the county senior semi-final, and the black and amber men won the tie with ease by 1-12 to 1-7.
A five-point defeat flattered the young Salthill side, and James Foran's Mountbellew could have easily won by double figures if they had been more efficient in front of goal.
The north Galway men dominated the game, but shot at least 15 wides, which is something they will need to improve on if they are going to beat Corofin in two weeks in the county final. The final has been fixed for October 11.
The Mountbellew management team of James Foran, Pat Donnellan, Patrick Gardiner, Martin Boyle, and Salthill resident Kevin Johnston, had their panel in good shape - mentally and physically.
They controlled the midfield area where Joe Bergin was the dominant force, and they were faster, quicker and more aggressive on the breaks around the middle, which gave them a stranglehold on the game.
Mountbellew full-forward line hit 1-9
Val Daly's Salthill team were in big trouble in their full-back line too, where Ruaidhrí McTiernan, Kevin Conlon and Finian Hanley found Eoin Finnerty (1-2 ), Barry McHugh (0-4 ) and Mountbellew team captain Cathal Kenny (0-3, 2fs ) difficult to tie down.
That trio hit 1-9 of the Mountbellew total of 1-12, with their other three scores coming off a fine punched effort from Bergin in the first half, and a 45 off goal-keeper Brian Donnellan, and a good score from the impressive Cathal Duffy in the second.
Others who caught the eye for Mountbellew were former county player Gary Sweeney at corner-back, last year's county minor Colm Mannion, who is a bundle of energy, and the hard-working Paul Donnellan at wing-forward, who was lively and productive throughout.
The highly-rated young Michael Daly had a poor day at centre-forward and he was withdrawn late in the second half. He is a talented youngster and no doubt he will want to make a big impression and contribution on Sunday week. When he is on his game, he is extremely mobile, well able to score, and can be a real handful for any defender.
The Salthill management team of Val Daly, Tom Kelly and Sean O' Dowd will know that they were well beaten last weekend, however, they have blooded a lot of youngsters in championship football this season such as Robert Finnerty, Paul Butler, Marcus Mac Donnnachadha, and John Maher. All four are forwards.
Paul Butler worked hard for the cause all day, and he is a player who never shirks the tough detail. He has a serious cruising speed, and with good coaching and more confidence on the ball, he looks like a young man who could do well.
Not too many Salthill players would be happy with their overall contribution, and they have a serious amount of work to do as a united panel if they are challenge for top honours in the next few years.
Shane Maughan did hit four points (0-3fs ) in a row in the second half, and helped set up his side's first-half goal, while Peter Killeen brought a big physical presence in defence on his introduction for the second half, but they were well beaten on the day and they will have zero complaints about the result.
Mountbellew march on, and they know they will have to improve on that display, especially their shooting, if they are to stop Corofin in 10 days and annex the club's first senior county title since 1986.
An improving side, if they can get plenty of ball into their potent full-forward line, they will rightly fancy their chances of creating an upset in the final.
