Tuam Stars secure knockout football with narrow win over St James
Tuam Stars edged out St. James’ by the narrowest of margins 2-16 to 3-12 in Athenry on Sunday, after a highly entertaining match played in difficult conditions. In a game which could have gone either way, Rory O’Connor was Tuam’s match winner, with his fisted point proving the difference between the teams in a compelling contest.
The result saw Tuam qualify for the preliminary quarter finals, where they were drawn to play Mountbellew-Moylough for a place in the last eight. St. James’ will have to turn their attention to the relegation play-offs.
Playing with the wind in the opening half, the city side opened the scoring with a pointed free from Jack Nolan. Tuam responded with their first goal; an excellent individual effort from Conor Heneghan.
Jack O’Neill soon landed a two pointer for St. James’ before Tuam had a goal chance, when Jack Grugan had a shot cleared off the line by Evan Moran. The resulting ’45 was pointed by Tuam ‘keeper Darragh Creaven.
Tuam’s goal threat was clear, however, and they soon had their second. A good move saw Luke Davin and Grugan transfer possession to Shay McGlinchey, who finished to the net from close range.
McGlinchey soon took an impressive individual point, before Grugan added another to make it 2-3 to 0-3. Colin Kelly pointed at the other end for James’, but Tuam were dominant and added three consecutive scores.
Points from Jack Cryan, Davin, and Brian Mannion saw them stretch their lead out to eight. St. James’ got two important scores before the interval to narrow the margin; a free from Nolan and an excellent two pointer from Paul Conroy, which left the half time score at 2-6 to 0-7.
Despite playing against the elements, the city side emerged with renewed energy when the play resumed. The sides traded two points apiece early in the second half. O’Neill (one ’45) landed both of James’ scores, while Grugan and Mark Colleran tallied for Tuam.
The contest was soon turned on its head during a three minute period in which St. James’ scored three goals. Kelly, Aaron Connolly, and Jonah Culligan all raised green flags as the city side tore the Tuam defence apart.
Dara Heneghan registered a point from Tuam during the same spell, but Donnellan’s charges now trailed by 3-9 to 2-9. With torrential rain falling in the second half in Athenry, the contest was becoming a battle of attrition.
Tuam tallied 0-4 during the next five minutes to steady the ship. Davin and Ronan Colleran pointed frees, before Mannion sent over a two pointer from the right wing to retake the lead.
Nolan equalised with a pointed free at the other end, and it was clear that this contest was going down to the wire. Davin edged Tuam back in front with another free, before Culligan had an effort on goal deflected over the bar by Creaven.
The score stood at 2-14 to 3-11 entering injury time. Jamie Murphy and Kelly traded scores, before the match winner came for Tuam from O’Donnell, after some good work from Murphy and Mannion.
The winners had impressive displays on the day from Creaven, Dara O’Ruairc, O’Connor, McGlinchey, Cryan, Davin, and Mannion. St. James were best served by Daniel McNulty, O’Neill, Conroy, Kelly, Culligan, and Nolan.
Tuam Stars: D. Creavan (0-1 ’45); D. Cunningham, D. O’Ruairc, R. O’Connor (0-1); C. Doherty, D. Heneghan (0-1), C. Mitchell; S. McGlinchey (1-1), C. Heneghan (1-0); J. Cryan (0-2), J. Murphy (0-1), C. Rhatigan; L. Davin (0-3, 0-2 frees), J. Grugan (0-1), B. Mannion (0-3, 1 two pointer). Subs: S. Rattigan for Doherty (39), M. Colleran (0-1) for Rhatigan (39), R. Colleran (0-1 free) for Mitchell (48).
St. James’: J. Egan; J. Folan, C. O’Regan, E. Moran; D. McNulty, D. Masterson, E. Finnerty; P. Conroy (0-2, 1 two pointer), J. O’Neill (0-4, 1 x two pointer, 0-1 ’45); R. King, J. Culligan (1-1), J. Ryan; J. Nolan (0-4, 0-3 frees), A. Connolly (1-0), C. Kelly (1-1). Subs: D. Hynes for King (56).
Referee: S. Curley.