The second round of the Galway senior football championship concluded on Sunday evening with the meeting of Annaghdown and Milltown in Tuam Stadium which provided possibly the best entertainment of the weekend.
There were no major shocks across any of the groups, however, things are still finely poised for the final round of fixtures in a fortnight's time. We have a much clearer picture as to who is in the running for top spot in the groups and who is looking down the barrel of a relegation dogfight.
Thankfully, due to the way the fixtures have been arranged by the county board for round two, there is something at stake in each of the final round of fixtures.
Group 1
It was very much a case of proceedings panning out as expected in Group 1. Mountbellew-Moylough overcame the challenge of Caherlistrane on Saturday afternoon in Tuam Stadium on a scoreline of 2-07 to 1-03. Caherlistrane only managed to score a goal in the first half but things could’ve been a lot more difficult for Val Daly’s outfit had Caherlistrane not squandered two other goal chances before the break.
Barry McHugh produced a superb shooting performance as he shot Mountbellew-Moylough to their maiden victory in this season’s championship. Salthill-Knocknacarra overpowered Naomh Anna Leitir Moir in the groups other game in Pearse Stadium on Sunday.
Tomo Culhane was their tormentor-in-chief as Finian Hanley’s team ran out comfortable 1-14 to 0-09 winners. The win secured top spot for Salthill-Knocknacarra who can begin to look forward to a quarter final.
Group 2
Moycullen asserted themselves at the top of Group 2 with a comprehensive 4-11 to 1-05 win over Monivea-Abbey on Saturday evening in Pearse Stadium. Dessie Conneely grabbed a brace of goals as the Moycullen men produced a much more polished performance than their previous outing against Dunmore MacHales. They reminded the rest of the county that they are still a force to be reckoned with this year despite many doubters.
St James’ recovered from their collapse against Monivea-Abbey last time out where they were made settle for a draw, by subjecting Dunmore MacHales to another one point defeat. Paul Conroy was the star of the show as the Jimmies just edged by Gary Delaney’s side 0-09 to 1-05 in a cagey affair.
Group 3
Corofin made it two wins from two as they got over the line versus a determined Claregalway team on Saturday evening in Tuam Stadium. Early on it looked as though it was going to be an
an uncomfortable evening for Kevin Johnson and his players. However, aided by two Patrick Egan goals,they rallied in a second half blighted by black cards to win by a flattering six points 2-09 to 0-09.
Tuam put themselves right amongst the thick of it again with an impressive win over Oughterard 2-09 to 1-06. It has set up yet another blockbuster clash with Corofin in two weeks time where the winner will put themselves in a great position to top the group.
Group 4
Killanin grabbed a win over Barna on Saturday in Pearse Stadium, 1-14 to 1-08. The Kevin Walsh-coached team produced a spirited performance in response to their disappointing opening round loss to Milltown where they failed to capitalise on a man advantage for the guts of thirty minutes.
They will feel confident going into their final round fixture versus Annaghdown who are two wins from two. A Damien Comer goal direct from a hop ball was the highlight as Norman O’Brien’s Annaghdown beat Milltown by 1-15 to 0-15 on Sunday evening in Tuam in a game that was full of incident. The win leaves Annaghdown top of Group 4.
Intermediate Results
Group 1
Clifden 0-17 Kilconly 0-13
St Brendan’s 2-10 Oileain Arann 2-10
Group 2
Corofin 0-10 St Gabriel’s 1-07
An Spideal 2-18 Williamstown 0-11
Group 3
Oranmore Maree 1-13 Glenamaddy 0-09
St Michael’s 0-11 Menlough 0-06
Group 4
Caltra 2-10 Cortoon Shamrocks 0-09
Kilkerrin Clonberne 0-12 Micheal Breathnach 1-08
