Doherty stars as Tuam take U21 title

Date Published: 02-Oct-2008

MENTION the word Tuam in any corner of Ireland and the names of Purcell and Stockwell will freewheel to the lips . . . well despite some bumpy times over recent years, the Stars are back in the bright zone with this fast moving under-21 team.

This under-21 A county final on Sunday evening might have lacked the big crowd to give it the appropriate backdrop, but the 800 souls or so who waited for the final part of the Tuam Stadium triple bill were provided with a real sporting treat.

In the end, Tuam Stars were deserving winners based on their overall workrate, teamwork and a fleet footed forward division, honed from a great tradition of attacking players, but on four occasions St. James’ were denied what looked like certain goals.

Over the years, the under- 21 championship has come under a concerted assault from the Croke Park ‘big wigs’ but consistently this grade has produced some exceptional contests and for fast moving, open football, this match took some beating.

It is a credit to the backroom staff of both teams that this final was played in an uplifting sporting manner which allowed referee Gerry Daly to let the game flow, with no unnecessary frees or stoppages.

In boxing parlance, Tuam Stars represented the fighter with the classy jab, stacking up the points at every given opportunity, but St. James’ were the heavier punchers in terms of having the potential to deliver the knock-out blows.

The Stars, under……