Maigh Cuilinn continued their impressive start to the Galway Senior Football Championship with a commanding 4-11 to 1-5 victory over Monivea-Abbey at Pearse Stadium.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both sides trading scores. We opened the scoring through Neil Mulcahy, but Monivea-Abbey responded well, levelling matters through Niall Mannion.
A goal from Owen Gallagher gave us the lead, but Monivea-Abbey fought back, scoring a goal of their own to tie the game. However, we responded immediately with a second goal, courtesy of Dessie Conneely, to take a 2-4 to 1-3 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Maigh Cuilinn took more control. Conneely struck for his second goal early on, and Andrew Power’s crucial penalty save denied Monivea-Abbey a way back into the game. From there, we dominated proceedings, adding two more goals and a flurry of points to secure an important victory.
MAIGH CUILINN: A. Power; C. Corcoran, E. Kelly, M. Moughan; A. Claffey (0-1), D. Wynne, J. Moloney; T. Clarke, S. Kelly; O. Gallagher (1-1), P. Kelly, N. Mulcahy (0-1); D. Conneely (2-1), N. Walsh (1-4, 1-0 penalty), C. Deane (0-2). Subs: G. Davoren (0-1), for Deane, 47 mins; C. Deane, for S. Kelly, 51 mins,
MONIVEA-ABBEY: D. Farragher; F. Garvey (1-0), C. Mulry, K. O’Reilly; L. Kenny (0-1), C. Cooley, J. Collins; T. Mullins, C. McDaid (0-1); P. Muldowney, D. Burke (0-1), N. Mannion (0-1); B. Moran (0-1), P. Flaherty, G. Kelly, Subs: P. Mullins, for Flaherty, 37 mins; C. Dolan, for Kelly, 37 mins; D. King, for Mannion, 44 mins.
REFEREE: Austin O’Connell.
Looking Ahead
This win puts Maigh Cuilinn in a strong position in Group 2. We’ll look to carry this momentum into our next match against St. James’s and continue our push for the county championship.