Salthill-Knocknacarra's have triumphed over Antrim's St Gall's to make it a double celebration for Galway in today’s GAA club finals.
Salthill overcame the Northern side by a solitary point in what proved a frequently dull encounter to join neighbours Portumna who earlier claimed the hurling title with a victory over Newtownshandrum.
The Galway men went in at half-time leading 0-4 to 0-3 with skipper Maurice Sheridan adding to his usual marshalling duties and contributing a point to the tally.
The excitement level didn’t pick up any for much of the second half and, although looking evenly matched, Salthill just seemed to have the edge.
When they extended their lead to 0-7 to 0-3 all looked finished for Gall’s. The McGourty brothers had different ideas, though, and notched up two late points to create something of a finish.
Exchanges were scrappy for the last few minutes as both sides let the excitement of a black ball game get the better of them, but the Galway 15 managed to hold on to claim their first All-Ireland title.
Scorers:
Salthill-Knocknacarra: S Rabbitte, M Sheridan (2f) 0-02 each, S Crowe, B Dooney, S Armstrong 0-01 each.
St Gall's: C McGourty (2f), S Burns (1f) 0-02 each, K Stewart, K McGourty (1f) 0-01 each.