After a rain-soaked weekend, the completion of the group stages of the Galway Senior Football Championship has been delayed until this evening (Thursday ).
The adverse weather called a halt to all group two matches, with the three games refixed for 8pm tonight. This in turn has delayed the preliminary quarter-final game which was due to be played this week. Tuam Stars are still unclear as to which team they will play with a possible six still fighting to be the best placed third-place team.
Group 1
The most anticipated game of the weekend was in group one where both St James and Milltown fought it out to see who would progress automatically to the quarter-finals.
Despite the conditions, fans were treated to a tough, evenly fought game with the Jimmies edging the contest by 2-6 to 1-6.
A first-half penalty from the ever-dependable Eoin Concannon and a somewhat fortuitous, rebounded effort from the impressive Sam O’Neill put Barry Downey’s side six up before a fine strike from Mark Hehir after some superb work from Liam Costello put Milltown back in the game.
Milltown tried hard to get back on level terms, but resolute defending from St James ensured they ground out the win.
Elsewhere in the group, Maigh Cuilinn, as expected, made it five wins from five, prevailing by 2-11 to 1-11. But they were put to the pin of their collar by an Annaghdown side that would surely have advanced had they played like this every game.
The final game in this group was between Naomh Anna Leitir Mor and An Spidéal. With both sides already confined to the relegation play-offs, a win here for either side would give them great confidence for the battles ahead. An Spidéal prevailed 2-7 to 1-9, thanks to goals from Finian and Antaine O’Laoi.
Group 2
All three games were called off in this group, and are now refixed for this evening at 8pm.
Corofin v Barna, 8pm Milltown
Caherlistrane v Killannin, 8pm Duggan Park
Salthill-Knocknacarrra v Oughterard, 8pm Killannin
Group 3
St Michael's had played all four of their games in this group and were in third place with hopes of progressing to the preliminary quarter-final.
Tuam Stars, on the other hand, had different ideas. For Tuam to progress they needed to defeat one of the favourites for the Frank Fox and hope that Claregalway would do them a favour and beat Dunmore. This was looking highly unlikely at half-time with Stars trailing by two and Dunmore leading by five. With the elements sure to have played their part in both games, Tuam fought back to defeat Mountbellew-Moylough by a single point 0-13 to 0-12, while Claregalway put in a terrific second-half performance to beat Dunmore 1-12 to 2-7.
Thus this group is completed with Claregalway and Mountbellew into the quarter-finals, and both Dunmore and St Michael's in relegation. Tuam Stars play-off game has been fixed for Duggan Park on Monday next at 7.45pm with their opposition yet to be decided.
Intermediate preliminary quarter-final results: Cortoon Shamrocks 0-13 Oranmore Maree 0-8; St Brendan's 4-10 Clifden 0-6; Caltra 1-16 St. Gabriels 1-6; Michael Breathnach 1-13 Williamstoen 0-13.
Intermediate relagation play-off matches: Corofin 0-11 An Ceathru Rua 1-7; Kilkerrin/Clonberne 0-15 Killererin 2-8.
