Injury worries for Stars as they advance to semi-finals

Tuam Stars 0-11

An Spidéal 0-8

Daragh Small at Pearse Stadium

Tuam Stars manager Tommy Carton will have to sweat over the fitness of forward Brian Mannion, but the Galway SFC roll of honour leaders look to have strength-in-depth as they head into the semi-finals.

The Frank Fox Cup has evaded them since 1994, and last year Tuam had to fight to retain for their place in the senior ranks. However, in the first of the double-header at Pearse Stadium on Saturday, they looked superb at times in a three-point win over An Spidéal and will now face Moycullen in the semi-finals.

Paul Collins and Brian Mannion left the field either side of half-time and that will worry the Tuam management, but some star players hit their stride.

Former Galway captain Gary O’Donnell helped himself to three points; while Noel Henry did likewise; and it was a fine team effort from the 25-time winners who can still improve.

“Gary O’Donnell really stood out for us. A few of the lads would be disappointed with their performances, but it’s back to the drawing board,” said Carton.

“We made hard work of it but it was a good win, we dug it out. Fair play to An Spidéal. I knew they would play well. They come at you in droves. It took us a while to get a handle on it. We just kept that score ahead.

“It’s good because we do have plenty to work on. To get to a semi-final is great after last year, the relegation trouble, it’s good to be in this situation.

“Hopefully we can go further but we will take it one step at a time.”

An Spidéal had the breeze at their backs in the opening half but fell behind early and Tuam ran up a 0-4 to 0-0 lead by the fourth minute in a blistering start.

Henry opened the scoring with a slick point off his right boot and that was added to when Gary O’Donnell got forward to send a shot off the post and over.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.