Corofin, Milltown, Mountbellew/Moylough and champions Maigh Cuilinn remain the only teams with a 100 per cent record after the senior football championship's second round.
Group 1
Champions Maigh Cuilinn continued their fine run of form with a win over the resurgent St James’. Based on last year many would have thought this would be a formality, but the Jimmies held their own right through the game and Don Connellan’s side was never able to pull away.
Maigh Cuillin’s early goal would have knocked the stuffing out of the city side last year, but things are different now. The return of the experienced Johnny Duane into the central defensive area cannot be underestimated.
Milltown made it two wins form two with a seven-point win over An Spideal who are struggling already this year. They will need to pull a result out of the bag in round three or they will face the threat of the relegation battle.
The same must be said for Leitir Mor, who also recorded their second loss of the campaign, this time to Annaghdown. Thanks to the ever-impressive Damien Comer, Annaghdown hung on in the end to get their first win in the group.
Maigh Cuilinn 2-11 St James' 1-08
Milltown 2-09 An Spideal 0-08
Annaghdown 2-10 Leitir Mor 1-11
Group 2
Corofin recorded their second win in group two, but struggled against a stout Killannin side which just kept going. A late high ball delivered into Bernard Power’s area could have ended up anywhere, but the Corofin defence scrambled it clear.
Jason Leonard has been playing the best football of his career this year, but now departs the panel to travel for a while, and it is yet to be seen from where the scores will come with Ian Burke also absent.
Salthill/Knocknacarra ensured their season is back on track after a poor first outing. The took victory over Caherlistrane in the last game of the weekend. The returning Rob Finnerty adding plenty to the attack of John O’Mahoney's side.
Barna had to be content with their second draw in a row thanks to a late equalising goal against an Oughterard side that looked in control for most of the game.
Corofin 0-10 Killanin 1-04
Barna 1-08 Oughterard 2-05
Salthill/Knocknacarra 1-10 Caherlistrane 1-06
Group 3
Mountbellew/Moylough top group three after two games, thanks to a three-point win over St Michael’s.
Mountbellew were always in control despite conceding an early goal, but the main talking point from this game was the return of Michael Daly after a lengthy spell due to injury - this being his first game for a year.
The game of the weekend was certainly the opening game in Tuam stadium on Sunday when Tuam Stars lost to Claregalway in an exciting match that took off in the second half.
Tuam looked comfortable, racing into a five-point lead, but two first-half goals from midfielder Darren Hennessey kept his side in touch. With the aid of the wind in the second half the Balchies clawed back the four-point deficit and scored the last two points, winning by two. The impressive Barry Goldrick finished the game with seven points to his name.
Mountbellew/Moylough 0-11 St Michaels 1-1
Claregalway 2-15 Tuam Stars 1-16
The intermediate championship also began last weekend with a couple of surprise results.
Group 1: St Brendan’s 0-11 Williamstown 1-04; Glenamaddy 1-08 An Ceathru Rua 0-08
Group 2: Monivea/Abbey 1-15 Clifden 1-07; Caltra 1-10 Corofin 1-06
Group 3: Michael Breathnach 1-12 Cortoon 0-06; Kilconly 2-05 Kilkerrin/Clonberne 0-09
Group 4: Oileain Arann 1-10 Killererin 1-06: Oranmore/Maree 2-11 St Gabriel's 1-07
