Scrappy stuff but the Stars too strong for Shamrocks

Tuam Stars 0-9

Cortoon Shamrocks 0-5

Eanna O’Reilly at Tuam Stadium

TUAM Stars confirmed their place in the last eight of this year’s senior football championship with a straightforward victory over Cortoon Shamrocks on Saturday. In a contest which was largely a slow burner, Tuam always looked in control against a Cortoon side whose wastefulness in front of the posts undermined them throughout the game.

In truth, it was a more comfortable win for Tommy Carton’s side than the final score suggested and Tuam looked like they could easily move up a gear if necessary. Tougher tests lie ahead for the Stars, while Cortoon will have to regroup for a relegation battle. Last year’s intermediate champions will have their work cut out for them to avoid dropping back down, based on Saturday’s performance.

Both sides took time to settle in the first ten minutes, with some inaccurate shooting on display at either end. Brian Mannion opened the scoring for Tuam in the seventh minute, after some good work from Conor Rhatigan and Brendan Mashengele. Alan O’Connell got their second point two minutes later, after a great pass from Gary O’Donnell.

Noel Henry kicked Tuam’s third score after linking up with Ben O’Connell, as the Stars began to hit their stride. Although Cortoon employed David Warde as an extra defender, the pace of Tuam’s attacks often bypassed the sweeper and their full forward line looked threatening when supplied. At the other end, Cortoon were already having problems with their shooting, both from play and placed balls.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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