A COMPLETE mismatch. An Spidéal secured a place in this weekend’s Connacht club junior football championship final after brushing aside the limp challenge of Leitrim champions Aughavas at Pearse Stadium last Sunday.

In the first of a double-header, the Gaeltacht outfit were far too strong for an Aughavas side that were way out of their depth in the provincial semifinal which drew a healthy crowd of around 1,500 to Salthill.

Aughavas were competitive for the first 15 minutes of this encounter but once An Spideál raised two green flags – one midway through the half and the other approaching halftime – there was only ever going to be one outcome.
 

An Spideál had an industrious opening quarter with points from Brendán Óg Ó Callaráin, Tomás Ó Conghaile, Éinne Ó Domhnaill and Ciarán Ó Droighneáin helping the Galway champions to a 0-4 to 0-2 lead, up until the goals which completely wrenched the heart out of the Leitrim challenge. 

Tomás Ó Fátharta set up Aodan Ó Curraoin for the first three-pointer on 17 minutes and minutes later Brendán Óg Ó Callaráin found the back of the net again – Michéal Ó Callaráin’s speculative high ball was tapped on into the cornerforward’s path with a clever flick-on by Ciarán Ó Droighneáin and Ó Callaráin made no mistake from close range. 

An Spideál kept piling on the pressure and were unlucky not to land a couple more goals before Brendán Óg Ó Callaráin landed two further points, sandwiched between a Pádraig McLoughlin score, leaving An Spideál 2-7 to 0-3 to the good at the interval. 

With An Spideál enjoying a 10-points advantage, the second half was a mere formality and it had become apparent that the South Leitrim club were incapable of reeling in An Spideál’s lead although they did salvage some pride with a late burst of points from Padraig McLaughlin, Colm Maguire (frees) and Aidan Maguire. 

These were cancelled out however by four second half points courtesy of Brendán Óg Ó Callaráin and a fine effort from Tomás Ó Fátharta. 

An Spideál manager Dónal Ó Fátharta won’t have learned too much about his charges from this performance and he’ll know they face a much trickier assignment away to Kiltimagh, who sailed passed Ballinaneem by 2-14 to 0-3 in the other semi-final, when they meet in the Connacht final in Charlestown on Sunday (2pm). 

An Spideál were well served by Pádraig Ó Maolallaigh in goals, Aodán Breathnach and Éinne Ó Domhnaill in defence, the Ó Callaráin brothers Lorcáin and Micheál at centre-field while Aodán Ó Curraoin and Brendán Óg Ó Callaráin caught the eye in attack.