| Gaels ready to face a tough Salthill
test
By David Thorpe
London champions Tir Chonaill Gaels face one of the biggest matches in
their history when they face Salthill/Knocknacarra in the All-Ireland club
quarter-final at Ruislip.
Salthill were umpressive in claiming the Connacht club title this year,
not so much in their facile defeat of Roscommon side St. Brigids in the
provincial decider but in earlier knocking out reigning champions Crossmalina.
The Galway side’s biggest asset is their excellent forward line with
all six of their attackers having played at intercounty level.
Their talisman and captain is the Mayo great Maurice Sheridan while Micheal
Donnellan lined out at full-forward in the Connacht final before moving
to midfield in the second-half. Alan Kearns contested the All-Ireland hurling
final this year and lines out at half-forward on Sunday.
The Gaels biggest asset all year has been their defence with Paddy Callaghan
and Paddy McCongilvey outstanding and how they cope with the threat of the
Salthill forwards will have a major bearing on the game on Sunday.
At the other end, Tir Chonaill have been well served by their inside-forward
line of Fergal Hoban, JP Breslin and JP Boyle. That trio will have to be
on top of their game on Sunday against a Salthill defence which doesn’t
have many marquee names but goes about its business with a quiet efficiency
that restricted the Roscommon champions to just five points in the Connacht
final.
The experience of Gaels midfield duo Anthony Johnston and Declan Meehan
will be crucial on Sunday as they battle to claim enough possession to give
the London champions a platform to go forward.
Gaels manager Maurice Carr told the Irish Post: “Sunday’s is the biggest
game any of our players have ever been involved in. I saw how they beat
St. Brigids and they were impressive but we are improving as the season
progresses.
“We started off with people regarding us as being behind St. Brendans
so to win the county final was massive for us.
“There is no doubt that we are underdogs going into Sunday’s game but
that suits us and we are all looking forward to the game and to giving a
good account of ourselves.”
It will be a reunion of sorts for the Tir Chonaill Gaels talented corner-back
Mickey Kelly.
The Derry native played for Salthill for six years, and confesses to
knowing “every one of their players”.
He said: “The slagging has already started. I went over to see the lads
in the Galway county final this year and am still friends with them. They
have a lot of good young players mixed in with the household names, and
Micheal Donnellan’s arrival has made a big difference.”
Kelly believes that the gulf in experience is the biggest disadvantage
facing his side on Sunday.
He said: “They have lads there who have played in All-Ireland, and been
around the block which we don’t really have.
“There will be no second chances against Salthill. Things that you might
get away with in London you won’t get away with on Sunday.
“We closed out the county title more comfortably than I thought we would
and have peaked at the right time. We will have to improve a level against
Salthill but I feel we can do that. We will be as well prepared and as fit
as them so it will all be down to our performance on the day.”
While they face an uphill task, Sunday is a chance for the Gaels to make
history.
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