The ultra competitive nature of the Galway SFC was emphasised once again last weekend as reigning county champions Killererin were dumped out of the title race by a highly impressive Cortoon Shamrocks outfit. It meant that for the third
consecutive season, the Frank Fox Cup holders made their championship exit at the second round stage.
The winners of the four remaining second round ties down for decision next Saturday evening will join NUIG, Salthill-Knocknacarra, Milltown, and Cortoon Shamrocks in the quarter-finals. In an attractive double-header in Tuam Stadium, the meeting of Tuam Stars and championship favourites Corofin is preceded by the clash of in-form Caherlistrane and St Brendan's. Meanwhile, Pearse Stadium plays host to the replay of Claregalway and An Cheathru Rua followed by Moycullen's tie with Mountbellew-Moylough.
After under-achieving in 2007, Caherlistrane have been one of Galway's form teams this season and sit unbeaten on top of Division 1A. Pete Warren's side made a major statement in the opening round of the championship when impressively
defeating Caltra. Clive Monahan, recalled to the Galway senior panel, delivered a high-quality performance at midfield in that victory while in attack, Cormac Bane has been scoring freely for both club and county recently. With All-Ireland minor winners Eanna Glynn and Oisín O'Brien also in their ranks, Caherlistrane enter this tie as firm favourites. They are sure to be given a stern test by a St Brendan's side that has been beaten only once in six league and championship outings in 2008. The Ballygar-Newbridge side's key players are former county minor centre-back Tomás Crowe, Adrian Martin, and Dara O'Malley, who featured for Galway in the 2006 National Football League.
In what is sure to be a keenly contested local derby, Corofin take on Tuam Stars. Jimmy Sice's side are the benchmark when it comes to defensive excellence in Galway club football. In competitive action since the beginning of 2006, Corofin
have conceded a miserly average of nine points per match. Five defenders - Michael Comer, Alan Burke, Damien Burke, Kieran Fitzgerald, and Gary Sice - are members of the Galway panel, while Alan O'Donovan and Kieran Comer are the star turns in attack. Tuam Stars, featuring six members of the side that captured this year's North Board u21 'A' title, comfortably defeated Killanin in the 'backdoor' qualifier round last weekend. They will again look to Ja Fallon to provide the inspiration along with the experienced Tony Costello, Donal Marley, and Brendan Devaney.
After serving up an exciting draw last Sunday, Claregalway and An Cheathru Rua resume battle in Pearse Stadium. Twice the Connemara men looked to have built unassailable leads during that match, however Brendan O'Hagan's side showed
admirable character to battle back and draw level after both normal and extra-time. An interesting facet of this tie will be the contest between Galway midfielders past and present, Seán O'Domhnaill and Barry Cullinane. The championship matches that these sides have contested so far this season have all required extra-time, and another close encounter looks assured next Saturday evening.
Moycullen have impressively carried momentum from their All-Ireland intermediate victory into this year's senior championship. Having pushed Killererin every step of the way in the opening round, Seán O'Dea's side regrouped and deservedly knocked Caltra out of the championship, despite the sending-off of Paul Clancy.
County men Gareth Bradshaw and Mark Lydon will again provide ball-winning ability, drive, and scoring power from midfield and Moycullen are favoured to qualify for the last eight. Gerry Neary's Mountbellew-Moylough were unimpressive when defeating Kilkerrin-Clonberne in the opening round almost two months ago. Colm Colleran continues to be the cornerstone of their defence, while their main attacking threat comes from David Neary and Galway u21 Cathal Kenny. However, this match looks to have come too soon for Joe Bergin as he continues his rehabilitation from an Achilles injury.
