Moycullen 1-11
Salthill-Knocknacarra 1-5
Gerard Mulreaney in Inverin (Source: Connacht Tribune)
McDonagh the main man in a comfortable win over Salthill/Knocknacarra.
Moycullen claimed the West Board junior football title on Saturday with a comfortable victory over Salthill-Knocknacarra in Inverin.
Padraig Oates’ charges got off to a flying start, scoring the opening four points. Clyde Dockery was on the mark in the first minute, and that was quickly followed up with a point from Brian Faherty. Paraic Kilduff then split the posts after his goal-bound effort was initially saved by McGuinness.
There was almost disaster for Salthill-Knocknacarra moments later as goalkeeper Ronan McGuinness made a hash of a clearance, but luckily for them Fionn McDonagh couldn’t take advantage.
Evan Kenny stretched the Moycullen advantage when under no pressure whatsoever, tapped over a point to leave the scores 0-4 to no score at the water break in favour of the winners.
Moycullen were in full control of the game in the first half, with Conor Corcoran and Rian Oates dictating the play from the half-back line, while Evan Kenny, Brian Faherty, Paraic Kilduff and Fionn McDonagh caused the Salthill-Knocknacarra defence all sorts of problems.
Salthill-Knocknacarra couldn’t find any rhythm early on, with lots of misplaced passes, and the very heavy pitch didn’t seem to suit them. When midfielder Jack Power did make a burst forward, Moycullen’s defence was there to stop him from making any further progress.
The Seasiders did eventually get on the scoreboard when Ultan Sheerin pointed their first score on 16 minutes, but Moycullen responded with another four unanswered points in eight minutes, through a super Clyde Dockery score, Brian Faherty and two points from Fionn McDonagh, his first a cracking free from all the way out on the far sideline with his left foot.
They also had a goal chance when centre-forward Tommie McNeela brilliantly glided past three Salthill-Knocknacarra defenders, and played a one-two with Niall Fitzgerald, only to see his effort cleared off the line.