Trayers the top man as Tuam Stars take junior B football title

Tuam Stars 0-13An Spidéal 0-10

Cian O’Connell at Pearse Stadium

BEATEN finalists 12 months ago, Tuam Stars survived a spirited An Spidéal challenge and were worthy winners at the end of a hard fought County Junior B championship final at Pearse Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Tuam seized control midway through the second half embarking on a four point scoring burst to secure another county title. Two years ago Tuam won a Junior C crown with this largely same group of players so the progress made in the intervening spell is noteworthy as the Stars have toiled diligently gathering silverware.

This success was achieved with a degree of style too because An Spidéal examined Tuam, but the north Galway outfit summoned the required answers when the issue was delicately poised. Even though An Spidéal had inflicted damage before the break, Tuam refused to be ruffled and ruled the closing stages.

Ultimately, the opening period was all about the immaculate free taking of An Spidéal's Ciaran Breathnach, who registered a considerable six point haul. Every Tuam foul was being ruthlessly punished by Breathnach with Donal Ó Flatharta also kicking a free as An Spidéal went in armed with a slender 0-7 to 0-5 interval advantage.

It was extremely tight early on as both sets of forwards were getting little joy against tigerish defences. Ten minutes in only three points had been posted as a Colm Quinn free for the Stars was quickly cancelled out by a Breathnach brace.

Glimpses of Tuam's ability were being provided as Tommy Hynes wriggled clear to kick a fine score, but An Spidéal came thundering back. Ready, willing, and able to work, the Connemara men were being fouled repeatedly in the scoring zone with Breathnach sharp when the chances arrived.

Breathnach nudged over three frees during a 10 minute spell in which Tuam could only manage a fisted point from midfielder David Trayers. Leading by 0-5 to 0-3 An Spidéal, with Ó Flatharta using his experience, had the cut of a team with significant intent.

Still Tuam kept plugging away and the Hynes' certainly carried a potent threat inside despite being starved of the necessary possession to truly make a mark initially. Ollie Hynes trimmed the deficit to the narrowest of margins before Ó Flatharta clipped a routine free.

Whenever Ollie Hynes received the ball there was danger and the wily full forward banged over another sweet point, but Breathnach's sixth free meant An Spideal went in two ahead at the turnaround.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.