Mountbellew Moylough stun Tuam Stars in Galway SFC Preliminary quarter-final

The sides were level at 0-8 apiece at half-time, but Mountbellew-Moylough delivered a composed and controlled second-half display to book their place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2023.

Jack Grugan opened the scoring with a two-pointer for Tuam Stars after just one minute. Barry McHugh responded with a two-point free before Eoin Finnerty added another score to put Mountbellew-Moylough 0-3 to 0-2 ahead after five minutes.

Gary O’Donnell, who missed all of Tuam Stars’ group games through injury, made his return on Sunday afternoon. The former Galway footballer got forward to level the contest for the second time.

Mountbellew-Moylough enjoyed a significant share of possession during the opening period and were rewarded for their efforts when Patrick Kelly and Finnerty moved them 0-5 to 0-3 ahead after 12 minutes. Shay McGlinchey then responded with a terrific two-pointer to bring the sides level for the third time.

Galway U20 hurler Michael Burke burst forward before offloading the ball to Patrick Kelly, who found his cousin Sean inside the small square. Christopher Ryan awarded a penalty, but Finnerty’s effort struck the post and went wide.

The sides continued to trade scores during the remainder of the first half, with Ciaran Mulhern, McHugh and Finnerty raising white flags for the 2021 county champions. Jack Grugan and an orange flag courtesy of O’Donnell ensured Tuam Stars remained in touch, with the teams level at 0-8 apiece at the break.

Mountbellew Moylough took control, outscoring their opponents 0-12 to 0-5 in the second half.

Three minutes into the second half, O’Donnell was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card after pulling down Billy Mannion close to goal. McHugh converted the resulting close-range free, while two-pointers from John Daly and Finnerty helped Mountbellew-Moylough open up a 0-13 to 0-9 lead after 42 minutes.

Luke Davin and Brian Mannion reduced the deficit to three points for Dave Donnellan’s charges on 47 minutes, but Tuam Stars struggled to build any momentum during the closing quarter.

Two further points from McHugh, along with scores from Mulhern and Burke, saw McHugh’s side seal their place in the last eight against Moycullen. Tuam Stars could only manage a free from Davin and a Dara Heneghan effort during the closing stages.

John Daly and Michael Burke gave Mountbellew Moylough a huge platform going forward in the half back line. Ciaran Mulhern’s direct running power caused Tuam Stars plenty of problems, while Eoin Finnerty and Barry McHugh combined for 0-13 out of their side’s 0-20.

Michael Daly was introduced on 37 minutes for Mountbellew Moylough making his first appearance since their 2023 county semi-final defeat to Moycullen.

Shay McGlinchey and Gary O’Donnell were among Tuam Stars’ standout performers, but ultimately it was a difficult season for the club as they struggled to reach the heights of previous campaigns, having reached the county semi-finals in both 2024 and 2025.

MOUNTBELLEW MOYLOUGH: M Foley; C Murray, B Mannion, B Noone; C Ryan, J Daly (0-2, tp), M Burke (0-1); S Kelly, M Barrett; T Shields, C Mulhern (0-3), L Donnellan; P Kelly (0-1), B McHugh (0-8, 2tpf, 0-2f), E Finnerty (0-5, tp). SUBS: C Mannion for Shields (14, injury), M Daly for Barrett (38), O’ O’Reilly for P Kelly (53), F Colleran for S Kelly (58)

TUAM STARS: D Creaven; D Cunningham, D O’Rourke, R O’Connor; G O’Donnell (0-3, tp) D Heneghan (0-1), C Doherty; J Cryan, S McGlinchey (0-3, tp); C Heneghan, J Murphy, C Rhatigan; L Davin (0-2, 0-2f), J Grugan (0-3, tp), B Mannion (0-1). SUBS: C Mitchell for O’Donnell (36), M Colleran for Rhatigan (36), R Colleran for Doherty (43), J Heneghan for Murphy (54).

REFEREE: Christopher Ryan (Killannin).