Conroy on fire as St James’ do enough in thrilling tie

St James’ 3-20

Milltown 2-16

By Eanna O’Reilly

ST James’ progressed to the knock-out stages of the senior football championship after a thrilling encounter against a battling Milltown side at Tuam Stadium on Sunday. The city side were deserving winners on the day, showing their resolve in the face of a great second half comeback from a battling Milltown team.

Qualification was in the balance right up until the dying seconds of injury time in Tuam. As it turned out, defeat by a one-point margin would actually have been enough to see Milltown through to the knock-out stages. When Ger Bowens’ team found themselves four points down in injury time and managed to work the ball into a goal scoring position, it looked as though their unlikely comeback might be completed in the most dramatic fashion.

However, Johnny Hynes was unlucky to see his shot fly across the face of goal, to the enormous relief of the St James’ players. The drama didn’t finish there, however. In keeping with a rollercoaster type contest, St James immediately worked the ball upfield to David O’Connell, who finished to the net for their third goal. It was a dramatic conclusion to what had been a captivating contest.

It was Milltown who made the better start, with Mark Hehir pointing two frees in the opening five minutes. Fiontain O Cuanaigh then opened St James’ account with a good score. A minute later, their talisman Paul Conroy landed a marvellous point from long range, before Owen Teagle put the city side in front with a good score.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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