Tuam Stars pull it out of the fire with late flurry of scores

St. Michael’s 2-6

By DARREN KELLY AT DUGGAN PARK

IN the tightest of groups, St. Michael’s and Tuam Stars couldn’t be separated in the senior football championship on Sunday as neither struck the critical blow to send the other team’s qualification aspirations into a downward spiral.

Early second half goals from Darragh O’Malley and Gavin Summerville had the Westside club six points clear and on course for a second victory this season but Tuam, while guilty of spurning multiple green flag chances, managed the six white flags to secure their first point of 2023.

St. Michael’s had the wind in the first half and got off to the ideal start on three minutes after Gary Higgins, making his return along with former county star Eamonn Brannigan, won a free out near the sideline. Brian Harlowe made no mistake with the placed ball.

The 2019 Galway under-20 had a great start and was on target again three minutes later, this time from play following Conal Gallagher’s assist.

Tuam Stars, who lost out to Claregalway in their opening contest, finally got off the mark in the next attack. Gary O’Donnell was using his experience to conduct their way through to the scoring zone and he took Jack Davin’s pass for the point.

St. Michael’s lost wing back Eoin McConnon through injury before Harlowe fisted over the bar on eight minutes. And just before the quarter-hour, Brannigan, playing as similar role to O’Donnell, took one on himself and split the posts for a St. Michael’s 0-4 to 0-1 lead.

The next four minutes saw both sides register twice. Brian Mannion started stamping his influence on proceedings with a kick from the left. And he also called the mark after a cross field pass from O’Donnell before hitting the target.

Each time, St. Michael’s replied. Higgins put two frees over after fouls on Brannigan and Gallagher leaving it 0-6 to 0-3 on 18 minutes. But Colm Tummon’s side wouldn’t score again before the break. And it would have been worse had Tuam reaped dividends from their next attack.

Pictured: Mark Colleran of Tuam Stars gets to the ball ahead of St Michael's Shane Maloney during Saturday's Senior Football Chanmpionship clash at Duggan Park. Photo: David Cunniffe.