Salthill to struggle with Gall swarm, warns Ephie

DON’T expect a classic, or even a high-scoring contest, in this afternoon’s AIB All-Ireland club football final in Croke Park (3.40pm).

That's how Nemo Rangers coach Ephie Fitzgerald views the clash of St Gall's and Galway champions Salthill-Knocknacarra, basing his views on their experience against the Antrim team in their recent semi-final.

And, without taking sides, the former Cork player feels Salthill may be in for a bit of a shock unless they are able to cope with a different type of challenge from which they are used.

While pointing out that the Nemo management did their best "to prepare" their players for the way they knew the game would be played essentially the blanket defence perfected by northern teams he freely admits that its intensity took them a little bit by surprise.

"The way Gall's play is going to make it difficult for Salthill. I think it will be tight.

"It won't be high-scoring. I couldn't imagine either side able to cut loose and run up a lot of scores.''

Interestingly, St Gall's conceded only eight points in each of the three games before they met Nemo, who managed a goal and six points.

Yet, an examination of their respective campaigns reveals similar aggregate scores (for and against). And, in the two games Salthill played before beating Kilmacud Crokes, they conceded just five points in each. These were against St Brigid's of Roscommon and Tir Chonaill Gaels from London.

From what Fitzgerald saw of Salthill's games, he regards them as "a good, open team". "They're typically Galway, they play a nice brand of football. But, I don't think this will be open as it was against Kilmacud.

"We knew full well what to expect, but the type of game they favour is very difficult to play against, because so many players are behind the ball and so many attack.

Every player has a purpose.

"It would not surprise me if they win.''

Nemo didn't manage to score from play until the 50th minute of the game. And, only four out of St Gall's' total of 10 points came from play. "The whole emphasis is on defence and they can have nine, 10 or 11 players behind the ball.

"They will feel that if they can hold Salthill to eight or nine points they will be able to score a few points more,'' adds Fitzgerald. "Any team that's used to playing a more orthodox game will find it hard to counteract.''

The one individual who stood out against Nemo was Kevin McGourty, picked at corner-forward but effectively played as a midfielder.

"He orchestrates things around midfield."

Fitzgerald says they play to the edge of the rules: "At times some of their tackling can be borderline.

"It's not easy to stop them.

"Look at the way Tyrone beat Kerry three years ago (in the All-Ireland semi-final)."

He says it doesn't matter to him who wins.

But describing himself as a traditionalist, you know where his loyalty lies: it's to the game itself.