Monivea’s surprise win

Date Published: 29-May-2008

THE 2008 Claregalway Hotel Senior football championship got underway on Friday evening in Tuam Stadium with Monivea Abbey casing something of an upset following their deserving two point victory over arch rivals Tuam Stars.

In a tight, entertaining clash that saw both sides level on no less than seven occasions over the hour, it was Francis Roche’s men who showed the greater hunger and desire in the closing stages to eke out a narrow victory.

Indeed, Monivea have something of a lucky omen in Bunty Roche as the former Galway minor manager was the man at the helm when Monivea Abbey defeated the same opposition to capture the Frank Fox Cup for the only time back in 1992.

The North Galway club marked their return to the senior ranks this year after a four year absence, but had to field without at least eight players who featured in last year’s Intermediate run that ended in defeat to Moycullen in the county final.

But the club’s minors also reached the county final and Roche introduced five members of that squad to make their senior debuts on Friday – and goalkeeper Denis Farragher, David Carton, Rory O’Connor, Rory O Neill and John Blade were all to play vital parts for their side.

The Stars, who failed to register a win in last year’s championship, were boosted by success in the Under 21 grade earlier this year and the availability of Galway legend Ja Fallon as captain would see Mickey Byrne’s outfit come into this contest with plenty of optimism. However it’s back to the drawing board for himand his selectors as Tuam could not deal with the desire of the men in red and blue.

Its hard to beat………