Tuam Stars hold their nerve in Division 1 league triumph

Corofin 0-13

By Eanna O’Reilly at Tuam Stadium

TUAM Stars secured the Division 1 senior football league title on Friday evening with a two point victory over neighbours Corofin at Tuam Stadium.

David Donnellan’s charges had to withstand a late comeback from Corofin, who scored seven unanswered points in the last ten minutes, before a Luke Davin effort steadied the ship and wrapped up the victory for Tuam.

An entertaining and fast paced contest saw Tuam make a strong start, as they lead by 0-3 to 0-0 after ten minutes. Brian Mannion pointed a third minute free to open the scoring, after Corofin were penalised for a breach of the three man rule. A minute later, Mannion added his second with a well taken score from play.

A well worked move saw Tuam register their third point through Jack Grugan, who took a good score from the right corner. Corofin were taking time to settle, and got off the mark through Micheal Lundy, who kicked a two pointer from the left wing. However, Tuam’s dominance continued, and they tallied the next three points.

Grugan scored his second point, after a well worked move involving Mannion and Ben O’Connell. Davin then fisted over a score, after a good pass from Conor Rhatigan. A minute later, Corofin were penalised for a breach for the second time, and Mannion duly converted the free to make it 0-6 to 0-2.

Corofin struggled with their shooting into the town goal during the first half. Although backed by the elements, it proved to be a tricky wind to judge, and they sent numerous efforts wide past the right hand upright.

A well taken score from Darragh Silke reduced the margin, but Tuam finished the half strongly with two scores to take a five point lead into half time. O’Connell and Jamie Murphy (free) scores left them ahead by 0-8 to 0-3 approaching the interval.

Corofin had a goal chance shortly before the break, when a shot from Finn McIntyre flew narrowly past the right hand post with Darragh Forkan beaten in the Tuam goal.

The Stars were good value for their five point lead at half time, but Corofin came out with renewed energy when the second half began. The first attack from the throw in saw Corofin break inside the Tuam defence before a loose ball on the ground was kicked over the bar by Killian Joyce.

Pictured: Dara O'Rourke of Tuam Stars in a race for possession with Corofin's Micheál Lundy during Friday's Division 1 League Final at Tuam Stadium. Photos: David Cunniffe.