Salthill-Knocknacarra battle past Ballinamore SOH to Connacht club SFC semis

Dara Conneely of Salthill-Knocknacarra is tackled by Ballinamore's Paul Honeyman ©INPHO/James Lawlor

Salthill-Knocknacarra booked their place in the Connacht club senior football championship semi-finals with a hard-earned 3-16 to 2-15 victory over Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Robert Finnerty and Tomo Culhane both struck 1-3, while Cathal Sweeney contributed four points and Matthew Thompson added three, including a two-pointer.

The Galway champions led 0-7 to 0-3 after 15 minutes before goals from Dylan Byrne and Paul Moran's two-pointer helped Ballinamore stay in touch, with the visitors leading 1-9 to 1-6 at half-time.

Colm Finnerty's goal and a Thompson two-pointer pushed Salthill 2-12 to 1-9 clear, but Tom Prior's goal brought Ballinamore back into contention before Paul Honeyman's dismissal proved costly.

Culhane's late goal finally settled matters as Salthill held on to set up a Connacht semi-final meeting with defedning Connacht championship St Brigid's at Pearse Stadium next Sunday.