Cooke goal proves decisive for Moycullen

/in

Galway Senior Football Championship Final

Maigh Cuilinn 1-10 Salthill-Knocknacarra 1-9

By Billy Coss at Pearse Stadium

A 57th minute Peter Cooke goal proved decisive as Maigh Cuilinn captured their second Galway Senior Football Championship crown in three seasons after a thrilling final with Salthill-Knocknacarra.

It was heartbreak for John O’Mahony’s side who were well placed to upset the odds when taking a two-point lead into the closing stages. There would be a late twist in the tale, however, when Owen Gallagher’s point attempt held up in the wind at the Árus Bóthar na Trá end, and Cooke beat Salthill-Knocknacarra ‘keeper Ruairí Lavelle to the punch to net a dramatic title-winning score.

Maigh Cuilinn had first use of the elements at Pearse Stadium, but it was Salthill-Knocknacarra who made the perfect start when a dipping effort from Daniel O’Flaherty, one of four Galway senior panellists in their ranks, found the top corner of Andrew Power’s net.

It gave Salthill-Knocknacarra a 1-1 to 0-1 lead though Maigh Cuilinn responded in impressive fashion with points from Seán Kelly, Cooke (free), Dessie Conneely (free) and man of the match Gallagher to forge ahead by the ninth minute.

Don Connellan’s team were unable to drive on though and would add just one more score from David Wynne in the remainder of the half. Instead, a Rob Finnerty-inspired Salthill-Knocknacarra took over and carried a 1-5 to 0-6 lead in at the break.

The All-Star nominee accounted for four points for the seasiders into the wind, with Tomo Culhane’s injury-time free further increasing their hopes of a fourth county title.

But with Seán Kelly, Cooke and Gallagher to the fore, Maigh Cuilinn’s renowned running game soon made inroads and back-to-back Conneely frees had the sides on level terms by the 39th minute.

As the tension increased, points from Seánie Ó Leidhinn and Evan Murphy twice edged Salthill-Knocknacarra back in front only for Conneely’s fifth of the afternoon and Gallagher’s second drawing the sides level once more.

The underdogs rallied again and Evan Nolan came off the bench to land two magnificent left-footed scores to edge Salthill-Knocknacarra ever closer to capturing the Frank Fox Cup.

Cooke would have other ideas however and his late intervention delivered a second title in the club’s history.

Scorers for Maigh Cuilinn: Dessie Conneely 0-5 (4f), Peter Cooke 1-1 (1f), Owen Gallagher 0-2, Seán Kelly 0-1, David Wynne 0-1.

Scorers for Salthill-Knocknacarra: Robert Finnerty 0-4 (2f), Daniel O’Flaherty 1-0, Evan Nolan 0-2, Evan Murphy 0-1, Seánie Ó Leidhinn 0-1, Tomo Culhane 0-1 (f).

Maigh Cuilinn: Andrew Power; Cian Deane, Conor Corcoran, David Wynne; Michael Moughan, Neil Mulcahy, Eoghan Kelly; Peter Cooke, Paul Kelly; Ger Davoren, Seán Kelly, Tom Clarke; Micheál O’Reilly, Owen Gallagher, Dessie Conneely (captain). Subs: Aidan Claffey for Deane (h-t); Niall Walsh for Davoren (48), Conor Bohan for O’Reilly (60+2)

Salthill-Knocknacarra: Ruairí Lavelle; Eoin McFadden, William Finnerty, Eoghan Deeley; Cathal Sweeney, Daniel O’Flaherty, Gearóid Armstrong; John Maher, Mikey Culhane; Evan Murphy, Rob Finnerty (captain), Seánie Ó Leidhinn; Donie Hunt, Tomo Culhane, Brian Conlon. Subs: Evan Nolan for Hunt (45), Charlie Power for Conlon (45), Matthew Thompson for Ó Leidhinn (52), Paddy Kitt for Mikey Culhane (60).

Referee: Martin Flaherty.

Galway bag 5 All-Stars

/in ,

PwC All-Stars Football 2022

Goalkeeper

1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore, Kerry)

Defenders

2. Chrissy McKaigue (Slaughtneil, Derry)

3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue, Kerry)

4. Liam Silke (Corofin, Galway)

5. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe, Kerry)

6. John Daly (Mountbellew Moylough, Galway)

7. Gavin White (Dr.Crokes, Kerry) Midfielders

8. Conor Glass (Glen, Derry)

9. Cillian McDaid (Monivea-Abbey, Galway)

Forwards

10. Paudie Clifford (Fossa, Kerry)

11. Sean O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks, Kerry)

12. Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock, Dublin)

13. David Clifford (Fossa, Kerry)

14. Damien Comer (Annaghdown, Galway)

15. Shane Walsh (Kilmacud Crokes, Galway)

PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year nominees

David Clifford (Kerry) Cillian McDaid (Galway) Shane Walsh (Galway)

PwC GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year nominees

Lee Gannon (Dublin) Ethan Doherty (Derry) Jack Glynn (Galway)

Weekend Football Fixtures

/in

SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION

Saturday 15.10.22 

An Cheathrú Rua v St. James, Spidéal, 1pm buy tickets here

Sunday 16.10.22 

Oughterard v Monivea-Abbey, Pearse Stadium, 3pm buy tickets here

SWEENEY OIL U17 A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday 15.10.22

West Final, Maigh Cuilinn v Oranmore-Maree, The Priarie, 4:30pm buy tickets here

North Final, Claregalway v Tuam Stars, Tuam Stadium, 4:30pm buy tickets here

Senior Football QF Live Streaming

/in

Live Streaming Home Page: https://page.inplayer.com/galwaygaa/

How can I purchase the available passes?

To purchase the Day Pass €10, click on any game of the day you wish to purchase the pass for.

You can purchase the Football Season Pass €120, via the Football Season Pass Button on the Live Streaming Home Page.

How to watch after I purchase a pass?

By logging in with your account you will automatically gain access to all games included in your purchase pass.

Simply click on the game you wish to watch and enjoy!

Senior, Intermediate & Junior Football Championship Fixtures

/in

BON SECOURS HOSPITAL SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP  QUARTER-FINALS 

Saturday 8 October 2022 

Salthill-Knocknacarra v Tuam Stars, Tuam Stadium, 2:30pm, buy tickets online here

Mountbellew/Moylough v Corofin, Tuam Stadium, 4:15pm, buy tickets online here

 Sunday 9 October 2022 

St Michael’s v Annaghdown, Pearse Stadium, 2:15pm, buy tickets online here

Maigh Cuilinn v Claregalway, Pearse Stadium, 4pm, buy tickets online here

*All Four Quarter Finals will be Live Streamed on Galway GAATV

Buy Streaming passes on: https://page.inplayer.com/galwaygaa/

PETER CURRAN ELECTRICAL INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS

Saturday 8 October 2022 

Kilconly v Oileáin Árann, Pearse Stadium, 3pm, buy tickets online here

Sunday 9 October 2022 

Corofin v Dunmore McHales, Tuam Stadium, 3:30pm, buy tickets online here

OCC CONSTRUCTION JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP WEST FINAL 

Sunday 9 October 2022 

Clifden v Salthill-Knocknacarra, Ros Muc, 2pm, buy tickets online here

 

OCC CONSTRUCTION JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP NORTH FINAL

Sunday 9 October 2022 

Menlough v St Mary’s Athenry, Tuam Stadium, 1:45pm, buy tickets online here

2022 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year

/in

Congratulations to our six Star winners from the All Ireland Minor winning football team

Kyle Gilmore of Cortoon Shamrocks GAA takes the No.1 Jersey in the 2022 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Team of the Year. The GalwayGAA keeper played a key role for his side this year with accurate kick outs which launched attacks, as well as an impressive shot stopping ability. Despite wearing No.2, C.L.G. An Spidéal man Tomás Farthing could be found across the entire pitch! Man of the Match performances in the Semi-Final and Final highlighted his importance for GalwayGAA making Tomás the 2022 Electric Ireland Minor Football Star Player of the Year!

Cillian Trayers provided a strong spine in the GalwayGAA side. The Claregalway GAA man is very much a modern defender as Cillian is well able to stick points, but never forgets about his defensive duties and always tracked back to make crucial tackles to end opposition attacks

Joint GalwayGAA captain Jack Lonergan takes the second midfield position this year. The Claregalway GAA man was excellent under a high ball throughout the championship and was a great ball carrier, as he kickstarted many attacks from midfield

Éanna Monaghan of Claregalway GAA Club was the other joint captain of Galway GAA this year. He scored a total of 3-31 in the championship, including 4 points in the 2022 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Football Final, helping Galway regain the title for the first time since 2007!

Colm Costello of GalwayGAA takes the final spot in 2022 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Team of the Year. Colm was always reliable in front of goal and always performed on the big stage. The Dunmore MacHales GAA man scored 2-34 this season, showing just how crucial he was for his team

The full list can be viewed below

Joyce: ‘You have to find a way’

/in

Pádraic Joyce was thrilled that Galway simply found a way to defeat Derry 2-8 to 1-6 at Croke Park. Level at the interval, Damien Comer netted two goals after the restart as Galway earned a first All Ireland SFC Final appearance since 2001.

“There is a sign in the dressing room going out the door saying to find a way,” Joyce says.

“You have to find a way – whatever goes on. You are not always going to win a game by kicking 2-19 or 2-20, the most pleasing part is the lads did find a way.

“They eked it out, they put the shoulder to the wheel, worked really, really hard. They took the hits, they gave the hits, I think they completely snuffed Derry out.

“I think Derry are a brilliant side, they have had a fantastic year. Rory [Gallagher] has the lads in great shape.”

The fact that Galway eventually shrugged off Derry’s resistance pleased Joyce.

“It was great to win the game obviously, it started out very tight and very cagey,” Joyce reflected.

“In the first half you can try to get the lads ready for whatever scenarios you think, but we didn’t think it would be that defensive or slow.

“We were a little slow getting going ourselves, we were lacking energy. It was extremely humid out there, believe it or not, lads found it hard to get their second wind. We came in at half-time four-four.

“Just in the second half we said we would be a bit more brave, show a bit more energy going forward. In fairness we did, we tagged a few points on after half-time.”

Three Shane Walsh frees were followed by a Comer major which steered Galway six clear.

“The goal then was a crucial turning point by Damien,” Joyce added.

“He turned his man really, really well. It was a great ball in by John Daly, he turned and stuck it really, really well. From then on we were five or six points up with a cushion, it was easier to manage the game- the lads managed the game really well.

“They had been criticised before for the last couple of games for not managing them out right, but today they did – in fairness to them.”

Galway’s attitude and application which repeatedly forced turnovers during the game impressed Joyce.

“They did, it was great,” Joyce replied. “Semi-finals are for winning, it mightn’t be pretty at times. We have won it and we have a final to look forward to in two weeks time.

“We are going to enjoy tonight, we are going to enjoy the build up for the next two week.”

By Cian O’Connell

All Ireland SFC semi-final: Comer inspires Galway

/in

All Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final – Galway 2-8 Derry 1-6

Following 21 years of watching and wondering, Galway footballers delivered on the grand Croke Park stage.

A first All Ireland final since 2001 beckons for Pádraic Joyce’s team, who shrugged off Derry’s resistance on a sultry evening in the capital.

Diligent defensively throughout, Galway just had more attacking craft with Damien Comer’s two second half goals decisive.

In the dying embers of this battle at GAA headquarters, Comer was withdrawn to rapturous applause.

It was a stirring moment for the maroon and white with Comer spearheading this victory.

At the opposite end of the pitch captain Seán Kelly contributed another wholehearted display, while John Daly’s excellence was another key factor.

Initially Galway had encountered some difficulty failing to land any scores from their first five shots.

During that spell Rory Gallagher’s Derry registered three points with Brendan Rogers nailing two either side of a Niall Loughlin effort.

Inevitably Comer was the Galway player to respond mining a 22nd minute point and by the time the interval rolled around the teams were level at 0-4 each.

Hawk-Eye had ruled a Shane Walsh 45 on the cusp of half-time was wide, but the officials awarded a score ensuring the issue was delicately poised.

Galway, though, then struck 1-3 without reply which was a significant flurry in such a tight game.

Walsh converted three frees on the spin before Comer made the Derry net dance with a 46th minute major.

Suddenly Derry were under severe duress, but Galway forced turnovers and restricted the Ulster standard bearers.

Shane McGuigan’s pointed free terminated a 14 minute search for a second half Derry score, but Galway summoned a reply.

Johnny Heaney fisted over a point and then Comer sealed the deal with a 68th minute goal.

Derry goalkeeper Odhran Lynch had ventured upfield, but when Galway won possession back they moved the ball forward briskly with Liam Silke’s pass locating Comer.

The Annaghdown attacker subsequently supplied an opportunistic finish and Galway’s final passage had been secured.

Deep into stoppage time Derry substitute Lachlan Murray pinched a goal, but sufficient Galwegian damage had been inflicted.

Joyce, so influential as a prolific forward in 1998 and 2001, has guided Galway to a national decider.

Scorers for Galway: Damien Comer 2-2, Shane Walsh 0-4 (3fs, 145), John Daly and Johnny Heaney 0-1 each.

Scorers for Derry: Lachlan Murray 1-0, Shane McGuigan 0-3 (2fs), Brendan Rogers 0-2, Niall Loughlin 0-1.

GALWAY: Connor Gleeson; Liam Silke, Seán Kelly, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Kieran Molloy; Paul Conroy, Cillian McDaid; Patrick Kelly, Matthew Tierney, Johnny Heaney; Rob Finnerty, Damien Comer, Shane Walsh.

Subs: Finnian Ó Laoi for Heaney (60), Billy Mannion for Comer (68), Dessie Conneely for Finnerty (68), Paul Kelly for Patrick Kelly (70).

DERRY: Odhran Lynch; Conor McCluskey, Brendan Rogers, Chrissy McKaigue; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Ethan Doherty; Paul Cassidy, Shea Downey, Niall Toner; Benny Heron, Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin.

Subs: Emmett Bradley for Downey (44), Lachlan Murray for Toner (55), Ben McCarron for Heron (60).

REFEREE: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).

By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park

Electric Ireland MFC: Playing the game, not the rivalry, key for Galway

/in

The players may be young, but the rivalry is as old as it comes. There is a historical resonance to the idea of Galway versus Mayo that permeates clashes between the teams at all levels, so much so that it can be the dominant theme even when the prize on offer is immense.

That was certainly the case last night at Dr. Hyde Park, when the traditional kingpins of Connacht football competed for the Tom Markham Cup – and for Galway manager Alan Glynn, forgetting about the rivalry and focusing instead on maximising the strengths of his own team, as well as negating Mayo’s strengths, was central to the victory.

“Today wasn’t a day for revenge on Mayo, that wasn’t even our thought process in our head” Glynn said after his team’s 0-15 to 0-9 victory in the 2022 Electric Ireland All-Ireland final.

“We went at it like it was a brand new game and a brand new team. Mayo had produced some excellent attacking football all year and we kept them to nine points, their lowest score all season. The one-on-one in the first two minutes, that was a massive save by Kyle (Gilmore)”.

Glynn spoke about his team’s excellent defensive work, particularly in the full back line where Ryan Flaherty, Vinny Gill and man of the match Tomás Farthing were in top form, but he singled out his goalkeeper as a key player, citing their ability to retain their own kickout as vital to the victory.

“It was the outfield players’ job to provide the space. We said ‘if you do that, Kyle will hit you’, and that’s exactly what happened. It’s very easy to point to a goalkeeper when kickouts don’t go your way, like the last six kickouts against Derry but maybe that’s the best thing that happened to us. It focused our minds and our outfield players knew they had to move and make space. He’s a class act”.

“We really should have got more scores off our own kickouts but what I’m most proud of was the tenacious defending. The blocks, the tackles, we were saying all year to the lads, it gives everyone a boost when we get a block, tackle, turnover and we have pace and space then to take advantage of that going the other way. It worked to a tee”.

After winning both games between the counties in the Connacht championship, Mayo manager Seán Deane dismissed the idea that nervousness was a factor in his team’s defeat, instead citing the difficulty in playing to the best of your ability consistently over a long season.

“I don’t think in any way, shape or form that it was nerves but I do think any team that goes through a championship season and plays eight games, you will get a dip somewhere along the line” said the Breaffy club man.

“Unfortunately, our dip came in an All-Ireland final whereas Galway’s dips came when they could recover from it. That was the difference. If we performed like this in Tuam or Castlebar, well things could be a little bit different” he said, ruefully.

By Kevin Egan