Galway SFC Final: Kelly inspires Maigh Cuilinn

Galway SFC Final

Maigh Cuilinn 1-17 Salthill-Knocknacarra 1-15

By Billy Coss at Pearse Stadium

They were without a Galway Senior Football Championship title before the turn of the decade, but Maigh Cuilinn have now collected the Frank Fox Cup for a third time after their greater economy down the home stretch proved decisive in a terrific final with Salthill-Knocknacarra.

Highlighting their extraordinary consistency, only Mountbellew-Moylough (2021 semi-final) and Corofin (2023 and ‘24 finals) have defeated the West Board club in local championship this decade.

Fine, fine margins were at play this evening and it was their ability to close out tight matches that again came to the fore. Galway captain Sean Kelly finished with 1-2 in a man of the match performance. The championship's chief marksman Dessie Conneely stepped up to the plate with crucial late scores, including a two-point free in the 60th minute. Peter Cooke, back from the United States, also kicked a pair of scores from beyond the 40-metre arc.

It was a poignant victory for Maigh Cuilinn and in his acceptance speech captain, David Wynne paid tribute to the late Don Connellan, manager in their 2020 and '22 successes, who passed away in August.

Salthill-Knocknacarra had been fancied from the season's outset but in a major injury blow were without captain and star midfielder John Maher who broke a bone in his ankle during their semi-final win over Corofin.

Maigh Cuilinn flew from the traps. Sean Kelly set the tone, bombing forward to bury the game's opening goal inside a minute. Dessie Conneely landed his first two-point free, while Fionn McDonagh and Johnny Moloney also found the target as Cathal Clancy's side opened a 1-4 to 0-1 lead inside nine minutes.

After struggling for kickout possession and coughing up early turnovers, Salthill-Knocknacarra soon settled and added to Donal O'Sullivan's 45 with five of the next six scores. Rob Finnerty was dangerous every time he gained possession on their inside line, while his fellow All-Star nominee Matthew Thompson also chipped in.

Their marquee players were coming to the fore and when Daniel O'Flaherty was felled inside the square, Finnerty dispatched the penalty despite the best efforts of 'keeper Pierce Greally, making it 1-5 apiece.

By then, Maigh Cuilinn had introduced Peter Cooke and the Galway star made an immediate impact, shooting a couple of majestic two-pointers on the wind at the Rockbarton Road end.

Sean Kelly then capped a brilliant half with a late point and though Thompson responded with his second, a late Conneely effort left it 1-11 to 1-6 to Maigh Cuilinn at the interval.

Salthill-Knocknacarra stormed back into contention in the third quarter despite some early misses. All-Star nominees Finnerty and Thompson led the revival with two-pointers, while Cathal Sweeney was also on target. And when Rob Walzer added his name to the scoresheet, Salthill-Knocknacarra were in front for the first time at 1-14 to 1-13 on 51 minutes.

A thrilling endgame was to follow. Michael Kitt cracked a shot off the Maigh Cuilinn crossbar on 57 minutes before Maigh Cuilinn found a leveller through Conneely. The same player then showed admirable composure to convert a 45-metre two point free and deliver a telling blow.

Finnerty responded for Salthill-Knocknacarra to leave one in it in the first of six added minutes before Sean Kelly crowned his terrific performance at the other end. There was still time for the city side to conjure an equaliser, however two late two-point frees from Tomo Culhane flew off-target as Maigh Cuilinn held on for a memorable victory.

Scorers for Maigh Cuilinn: Dessie Conneely 0-6 (2tpf, 1f), Sean Kelly 1-2, Peter Cooke 0-4 (2tp), Fionn McDonagh 0-2; Niall Walsh, Johnny Moloney and Paul Kelly 0-1 each.

Scorers for Salthill-Knocknacarra: Rob Finnerty 1-7 (1-0 pen, 1tpf, 3f), Matthew Thompson 0-5 (1tp); Donal O'Sullivan (45), Cathal Sweeney and Robert Walzer 0-1 each.

Maigh Cuilinn: Pierce Greally; Aidan Claffey, Eoghan Kelly, Mike Moughan; Sean O'Connor, Sean Kelly, David Wynne (captain); Paul Kelly, Ger Davoren; Johnny Moloney, Niall Walsh, Tom Clarke; Fionn McDonagh, Fiachra McDonagh, Dessie Conneely.

Subs: Peter Cooke for Davoren (20), Neil Mulcahy for Clarke (38), Ger Davoren for Fiachra McDonagh (45), James McLaughlin for O'Connor (52).

Salthill-Knocknacarra: Donal O'Sullivan; Evan Wynne, Dara Conneely, Eoghan Deeley; Mark Mannion, Aaron Mannion, Cathal Sweeney; Niall Hanahoe, Michael Kitt; Charlie Power, Matthew Thompson, Daniel O'Flaherty; Evan Nolan, Robert Finnerty, Tomo Culhane.

Subs: Paddy Kitt for Aaron Mannion (HT), Mikey Culhane for Michael Kitt (HT), Robert Walzer for Nolan (42), James McDermott for Mikey Culhane (52), Michael Kitt for Deeley (56).

Referee: Christopher Ryan.