Super fit Stars in different zone to hapless Milltown

Tuam Stars 0-14Milltown 1-8

Declan Tierney at Tuam Stadium

CONDITIONS were treacherous, bordering on the downright dangerous, as a super fit Tuam Stars once more advanced to the closing stages of the senior football championship after recording a straightforward victory against a wretched Milltown side who never came out of the traps. 

Similar to last year, Milltown were quietly fancied to create a shock but once again they have proved to be a major disappointment and while the three point margin in the end might suggest a close encounter, the scoreline really flattered them. In fact, they conspired to make Tuam look good.

This was the third match to be played in Tuam Stadium on Sunday evening and the condition of the pitch got gradually worse due to the incessant rain. There was surface water visible in places and an area directly in front of the ‘town goal’ was particularly atrocious, resulting in players sliding several yards and the ball coming to an abrupt stop. 

There were serious doubts over whether this match should proceed or not but the officials present were satisfied that the conditions were suitable although the number of players who couldn’t keep their feet on the extremely greasy surface suggested otherwise.

Consequently, it resulted in several handling errors and many interruptions in play but it did not detract from Tuam’s superiority, nor from some of the exceptional scores from play they managed with Shane Gaffney, Jamie Murphy and Conor Doherty playing starring roles up front for the winners.

Many senior clubs in Galway can only dream of having the talent that Milltown possess throughout the team, but on Sunday they simply did not turn up. Star forwards like Mark Hehir and Michael Martin were virtually anonymous through a combination of tight marking on the part of the Tuam backs and the absence of quality ball up front. 

They trailed by five points after the first half and it could have been more as Tuam squandered several chances, including two goal opportunities during that period as the side now prepare to meet arch-rivals Corofin in the county semi-finals. Tuam were beaten by Corofin in last year’s final and again in the first round of the championship so the Stars certain have a point to prove against the reigning county champions.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.