Mighty MacHales

Dunmore deliver as Galway clubs sweep the boards in provincial football

NOT content after ending a decade and-a-half away from the top table of Galway football, the current crop of Dunmore MacHales footballers kicked on to land the Connacht Intermediate Club Championship title on Saturday afternoon.

Provincial silverware doesn't come easy and theirs most definitely fell into the 'hard won' category with the champions of Sligo (St. Molaise Gaels), Mayo (Ballyhaunis) and finally Roscommon (St. Dominic’s) on their defeated list - the latter two coming after titanic battles away from home. That's just about as tough as it gets.

Maigh Cuilinn (Senior) and Clifden (Junior) also enjoyed Connacht success on a memorable weekend for Galway football, while Dunmore's 1-16 to 1-13 victory sent the county top of the Intermediate competition's roll of honour as they followed in the footsteps of seven previous winners in Caherlistrane (2005), Maigh Cuilinn (2007), St. Michael's ('08), Naomh Anna Leitir Móir ('09), St. James' ('10), An Spidéal ('18) and Oughterard ('19).

Football in December can so often involve two teams slugging it out on a stodgy pitch, with scores at a premium and perspiration trumping inspiration. Dunmore and St. Dominic's from Knockcroghery was a welcome outlier on all of those fronts on a crisp, dry day in Kiltoom which lent itself to a fast-paced and highly entertaining encounter as well as a cracking atmosphere.

Uncertainty over the result carried all the way to the final passage of play and ultimately it was Dunmore's dominant final quarter that sealed the deal. Nine points between the 47th and 64th minute swung matters their way, despite a late, late goal from the Roscommon club throwing it back into the melting point…

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