A last-second block by Michael Healy preserved a 1-point win against Salthill-Knocknacarra in a game played in sweltering conditions in Ballinderreen.

The game began with the teams trading scores, which left Ballinderreen leading 0-4 to 0-2.

Ciaran Bailey had a goal opportunity set up by Conor Meehan, but his shot flashed over the crossbar. Ronan Larkin scored the opening goal when he prevented a Sean Kellegher shot from going wide before finishing to the net to leave the score 1-5 to 0-2 after 18 minutes.

Salthill-Knocknacarra scored their first goal when referee John McDonagh awarded them a penalty. The penalty was expertly finished to the top left corner, leaving Nick Lenane with no chance.

The teams traded scores as Niall Delaney, Kieran Ryan (free) and Conor Meehan matched 3 points (1 free) from Salthill-Knocknacarra.

Salthill-Knocknacarra enjoyed a purple patch during injury time where they scored 1-2 unanswered to leave Ballinderreen trailing 1-8 to 2-6 at half time.

The second half opened with a flurry of scores. Salthill-Knocknacarra scored a point before Kieran Ryan opened Ballinderreen’s account. Salthill-Knocknacarra’s corner forward scored a goal in the next minute before Ciaran Bailey rounded his defender and replied with a goal of his own.

Ballinderreen scored the next 3 points from Sean Kellegher, Ronan Larkin and Kieran Ryan (free) to leave the score 2-12 to 3-7.

Aidan Linnane received a yellow card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, and the resulting free was scored. Rory Foy was introduced for Sean Kellegher. Kieran Ryan (2 points, 1 free) and Conor Meehan closed the Ballinderreen scoring against a solitary Salthill-Knocknacarra point which left the score 2-14 to 3-9 at the water break.

After the break, Salthill-Knocknacarra scored 2 frees while Kieran Ryan (free) and Rory Foy replied for Ballinderreen. When Conor Meehan closed Ballinderreen’s scoring in the 54th minute, the score stood at 2-17 to 3-11.

Salthill-Knocknacarra scored the next 2 points from play, leaving a single point between the teams as the game entered injury time. 

Confusion in the Ballinderreen defence allowed the Salthill-Knocknacarra corner forward an opportunity to level the game or steal the win with a goal. Michael Leahy threw himself in front of the strike and blocked the ball. John McDonagh blew the full-time whistle as the ball was cleared, leaving Ballinderreen with a one-point win.