When the lights switch on at Pearse Stadium this Saturday night (7.30pm ), two sides at very different points in their journeys will collide in the Galway Senior Football Championship final.
Favourites Salthill/Knocknacarra, who are hoping to end a Frank Fox drought that dates back to 2012, will face Maigh Cuilinn, a side chasing a third county title since 2020 and playing in their sixth final in seven years.
Offering his insight to the Galway Advertiser ahead of the game, former Galway midfielder Barry Cullinane believes Salthill/Knocknacarra’s biggest challenge is not tactical but psychological. How will they reflect upon their Jekyll and Hyde display in the semi-final?
Salthill/Knocknacarra’s first-half blitz against holders Corofin was breathtaking, leading 1-14 to 0-4 at the break. But their near collapse in the second-half, which almost allowed Corofin to snatch a remarkable victory, showed that they are far from the finished article yet.
Mental resilience and lessons learned
The Claregalway clubman said: “When they sat down for their video review after the Corofin game, they’d have seen four, five or six real positives and then the one or two bits in the second-half that went against them. They’ll really focus on what they did well, but over the next few weeks they’ll be working hard on what they need to improve.
“There is a mental aspect in that too, because if a team hasn’t won a county title as a group, it is very difficult to get over the line. You could draw reference to the Cork hurlers in that regard. Finian Hanley and the [Salthill/Knocknacarra] management will be saying to themselves, ‘we have weathered Corofin, so if Maigh Cuilinn bring a huge fight, we’ll weather that too and come out the other side.’”
This year, Salthill/Knocknacarra had six players on the Galway senior panel: Cathal Sweeney, Daniel O’Flaherty, John Maher, Matthew Thompson, Tomo Culhane and Rob Finnerty — a serious playing pool by any club’s standards. But Salthill/Knocknacarra’s decider preparation has been complicated by Maher’s ankle injury, picked up in the semi-final, which looks set to rule the powerful midfielder out.
Maher’s absence could tilt the midfield battle firmly in Maigh Cuilinn’s favour, especially with Peter Cooke back available for selection after making his first appearance of the campaign as a substitute against Tuam Stars in their one-point semi-final victory.
“I thought Peter Cooke was excellent when he came on the last day,” added Cullinane. “I would be very surprised if he didn’t start the final. What would you be holding him for? If that swing happens — Maher out and Cooke starting — that could be a big turning point in the game.”
Experience and emotion in Maigh Cuilinn’s corner
Cooke’s return to midfield certainly strengthens an already seasoned Maigh Cuilinn core, one that has been here before and, crucially, has the experience of winning finals.
“I personally think experience stands for a lot,” Cullinane said. “To win what they’ve won, teams have thrown everything at them, and they’ve still come out on top. Until Salthill/Knocknacarra get over the line, they can’t say they’ve done that.”
“In the quarter-final and semi-final, Salthill looked their best when they won turnovers. They can transition from the full-back line into a scoring position so quickly because they are so athletic.
“If I was Maigh Cuilinn manager, I’d be saying we want to win this game 0-12 to 0-10. Keep the ball, frustrate Salthill, don’t let them get those big breaks or turnovers. If you do lose it, foul and get bodies back. Once Salthill get a run on you, they are very, very difficult to stop.”
It has not been an easy campaign for Maigh Cuilinn off the field following the tragic loss of ex-manager Don Connellan. How does Cullinane see them managing those emotions ahead of the game?
“I think Cathal Clancy [Maigh Cuilinn manager] will touch on the emotional aspect. He’ll know there’s extra significance for them to perform, but he won’t go over the top. All any manager wants is a performance. If that’s good enough, great. They probably didn’t get the performance they wanted in the last two finals [losing to Corofin], so that’ll be their big aim.
No doubt, both sides have the tools to win it. Salthill’s pace, balance and attacking flair make them a joy to watch when they click. Maigh Cuilinn, though, carry serious power and running ability as well as final-winning experience to draw from.
“I think Salthill have the potential to go on and become a really, really good team,” Cullinane concluded. “But after their last two performances, and after the tragic loss of Don Connellan, I think there’s something in Maigh Cuilinn this year — something to go after. I don’t think it’ll be a classic, and it could be low scoring, but I have a funny feeling a Dessie Conneely goal could swing it for Maigh Cuilinn.”
Barry Cullinane Verdict: Maigh Cuilinn
