In the penultimate round of the Galway Senior Football Championship's group stages, the fixture of the weekend on paper in group one was where Moycullen verus Tuam Stars.
However the clashed turned out to be a facile affair in Pearse Stadium, when in horrific conditions, Kevin Reidy’s Tuam Stars were totally outclassed by Moycullen.
The west Galway side reaffirmed its Frank Fox credentials by following up round three's two-point victory over Corofin with a nine point win last Sunday.
Not for the first time this season, Peter Cooke put on an exhibition of long-range kicking despite the rainswept conditions.
Saturday afternoon saw the meeting of Naomh Anna Leitir Móir and Oughterard - two teams aiming to avoid a relegation dogfight.
Played in Ros Muc, there was nothing to separate the teams in the end as Oughterard secured their first point of the campaign.
Corofin and An Spidéal was a Tuesday evening fixture due to a club bereavement in Corofin, and Corofin struggled through this game against a defensive An Spidéal.
Despite and early goal from Ian Burke, Corofin were wayward with their shooting in the first 30 minutes and should have had more than a six point lead at the break, 1-7 to 0-4.
Not scoring a point for the first 18 minutes will be a worry for manager Johnston heading into the final round against Tuam.
In control for much of the second half without ever racking up the scores, Corofin were given a fright late on when a long-free shot from Manus Breathnach dropped short and ended up in Bernard Power's net.
Having lost all four of their games, An Spidéal are now fighting for their lives, regardless of their result against Oughterard next weekend.
Group 2
Despite a dreadful start to their 2022 campaign, Annaghdown placed themselves right back into contention for a place in the quarter-final draw.
Their hard-fought four-point victory over a battling An Cheathrú Rua gave Alan Flynn’s charges their second win in group two.
Mountbellew-Moylough eased past Barna in Tuam Stadium on Sunday afternoon with a 13-point win. The forward pairing of Barry McHugh and Patrick Kelly has been in scintillating form for the champions to date and this continued on Sunday. It is hard to look past the current champions to retain their crown, given the performances of their big names.
Salthill-Knocknacarra eventually got over a plucky St James’ challenge by seven points. The scoreline, however, flatters to deceive John O’Mahony’s players.
The game was level pegging on many occasions late into proceedings, but St James’ failed to convert a couple of goalscoring openings at key moments in the game which would have created a different headline had they hit the back of the net.
Group 3
The tightest group in the championship continues to throw up thrills and spills.
Pointless before this weekend through a series of unfortunate defeats, Monivea-Abbey finally got over the line against the group’s top team at the time, Milltown.
A brace of Cillian McDaid goals ensured the two points for his side, and they will be aiming to follow up with another victory in a fortnight’s time.
Caherlistrane drew their second game in succession as they and St Michael’s were forced to share the spoils. Both teams remain in contention to qualify.
Killanin’s recent poor form continued as they were condemned to a three-point defeat by the current top-of-the-table Claregalway.
Galway SFC Results
Group 1: Naomh Anna Leitir Móir 0-12 Oughterard 1-09; Moycullen 0-15 Tuam Stars 0-06; Corofin 1-13 An Spidéal 1-08.
Group 2: Annaghdown 1-11 An Cheathrú Rua 0-10; Mountbellew-Moylough 1-16 Barna 0-06; Salthill-Knocknacarra 1-15 St James’ 0-11.
Group 3: Caherlistrane 0-10 St Michael’s 0-10; Claregalway 3-10 Killanin 2-10; Monivea-Abbey 3-10 Milltown 1-09.
Galway IFC Results
Group 1: Cortoon-Shamrocks 3-16 Moycullen 0-06; Glenamaddy 1-09 Corofin 0-05.
Group 2: St Brendan’s 1-12 Oranmore Maree 1-12; Micheál Breathnach 2-08 Caltra 0-14.
Group 3: Headford 2-15 Killererin 2-09; Oileáin Árainn 1-14 Kilkerrin-Clonberne 0-09.
Group 4: Williamstown 2-08 St Gabriel’s 2-06; Dunmore MacHales 3-08 Kilconly 0-13.
