Galway SFC: Salthill-Knocknacarra and Maigh Cuilinn advance to decider
Charlie Power and Matthew Thompson impressed in Salthill-Knocknacarra's Galway SFC win over Corofin at Pearse Stadium. Photo by Ray Ryan/Sportsfile
By Cian O'Connell at Pearse Stadium
Under the Saturday evening Pearse Stadium lights, two compelling Galway SFC Semi-Finals unfolded with Salthill-Knocknacarra and Maigh Cuilinn eventually reaching the decider.
Prompted by the splendid Daniel O'Flaherty and Rob Finnerty, Salthill-Knocknacarra delivered a dynamic opening period display against Corofin.
Finian Hanley's mix of established and emerging players departed armed with a significant 1-14 to 0-4 advantage at the interval.
Finnerty planted a brilliant goal, while the dashing Charlie Power and Matthew Thompson also supplied sweet points from play.
Worryingly, though, Salthill-Knocknacarra's John Maher was stretchered off injured before the inevitable Corofin rally.
Substitute Ciaran Brady was immense for Corofin, who thundered back into the contest.
Ian Burke was crafting chances too for Corofin, who netted a tonic goal courtesy of Darragh Silke.
Having reduced the defifit, Corofin trailed by two deep into stoppage time, but former Limerick custodian Donal O'Sullivan made a crucial save from Liam Silke, and Salthill-Knocknacarra survived to emerge 1-17 to 1-15 winners.
Earlier in the evening, in front of a healthy crowd at the Salthill venue, Maigh Cuilinn eked out a narrow 0-18 to 1-14 success over Tuam Stars.
Peter Cooke's excellence was a key factor in the closing stages as Cathal Clancy's outfit finished strongly.
Cooke struck a vital two pointer for Maigh Cuilinn to level matters in the second period and subsequently steered his team ahead.
Tuam Stars had been bright and busy initially with Cian Mitchell rifling a 23rd minute goal as they led 1-7 to 0-7 at the interval.
Cooke's introduction was significant and a talented Maigh Cuilinn outfit, champions in 2020 and 2022, will feature in a fifth final in six years.
