The big four only ones still standing in chase for senior football honours
Inside Track with John McIntyre
TUAM Stars may have spent a bit longer in the trenches at the weekend, but the four teams tipped to reach the county semi-finals at the beginning of the Galway senior football championship are the only ones still standing in the race for the Frank Fox Cup.
With varying degrees of authority, champions Corofin, Maigh Cuilinn and Salthill-Knocknacarra came through their quarter-final engagements, but the Stars only eventually wore down a spirited challenge from Killannin in the second period of extra-time at Kenny Park.
Little or nothing had separated the teams in normal time. They were deadlocked at 0-8 each at the interval, but when the game’s most influential performer Jamie Murphy edged Tuam in front in the dying moments, the most prolific winners of the county title were tantalisingly close to the semi-finals.
Killannin, however, had been battling all afternoon in trying to upset the odds and there was still time for veteran Patrick Sweeney to force extra-time. The game remained in the balance until Tuam really caught fire in the closing additional 10 minutes. Murphy, who finished with 1-5, raised a green flag while Rory O’Connor and Cormac McWalter slotted over the closing points as the Stars eventually carried the day on a 1-21 to 0-17 scoreline.
Corofin remain favourites to complete the three-in-row after demolishing Dunmore McHales (2-20 to 0-10) at Tuam Stadium on Saturday. The challengers were in trouble from the off, only registering their first score from Colm Costello in the 21st minute. By that juncture, Corofin had eight points on the board.
Ahead by 0-11 to 0-3 at the interval, the winners were in no mood to slacken-off and second-half goals from Ian Burke and Darragh Silke (penalty) confirmed Corofin’s mastery. This was a sobering defeat for a Dunmore MacHales team who were expected to test the title holders without actually turning them over.
The opening quarter-final of the weekend saw Maigh Cuilinn overcome neighbours Oughterard at Pearse Stadium on Saturday. It wasn’t all plain sailing, however, with the teams sharing four goals in the opening half. The excellent Fiachra McDonagh and Niall Walsh (penalty) found the net for Maigh Cuilinn, with James Webb and county player Matthew Tierney replying in kind for Oughterard.
With Ronan Molloy, Niall Lee, and Cian Monaghan all hitting the target for the outsiders on the resumption, Maigh Cuilinn were made to work for their expected victory (2-19 to 2-12), with ace marksman Dessie Conneely showing that he is still a serious scoring operator at club level.
Pictured: Mark Mannion of Salthill/Knocknacarra gets his pass away Stephen McCooey and Brian Kane of St James' during Sunday's Senior Football quarter-final at Pearse Stadium. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.