Tuam weather the St. James' storm

Late O'Connor winner sends Stars into last 12

Tuam Stars 2-16

St. James’ 3-12

IF the Galway Senior Football Championship lacked jeopardy for much of last weekend, the conclusion of Group 4 delivered it in spades early on Sunday evening as Tuam Stars emerged with their title hopes intact and St. James' lost a game of fine margins en route to the relegation playoffs.

The Stars kept their composure best in a tense, pressure-cooker finale with Rory O'Connor - his side's 12th different scorer - their hero with a game deciding point in the third added minute at Kenny Park.

It was a match that seemed destined to end in a comfortable Tuam victory after goals from Conor Heneghan and Shay McGlinchey helped them to a 2-6 to 0-7 interval lead despite shooting into the elements.

Only a victory would offer St. James’ knockout football and Eoin Concannon and Darragh Leonard's charges finally sprung to life in a golden three-minute second half spell that brought goals for Colin Kelly, Aaron Connolly and Jonah Culligan. It was all on the line entering the final quarter, but Tuam prevailed as the rain hammered down to seal second place behind group winners Annaghdown.

It was a poignant afternoon for the Tuam Stars camp following the sad news of fellow clubman Andrew Carney's passing. Many of the players were taught by or worked with the popular teacher in St. Jarlath's. Black armbands were worn in his honour and a minute's silence was observed before throw-in.

Tuam's shock loss to Annaghdown in round two ramped up the pressure and they responded with a strong start and two early goals. Conor Doherty surged through the heart of the St. James' defence before Conor Heneghan sold a neat dummy and dispatched to the top right corner on four minutes.

Shortly after having a shot taken off the line by St. James' defender Evan Moran, Jack Grugan was the supplier for their second goal palmed home by Shay McGlinchey for a 2-2 to 0-3 lead after 13 minutes. St. James' were wind-aided into the scoreboard end but managed just two scores up to that juncture - a Jack Nolan free plus a raking two-pointer from Jack O’Neill.

Those early goals gave Tuam a strong foothold and the half-time score stood at 2-6 to 0-7 in their favour. Darragh Creaven (45), McGlinchey, Jack Cryan (two), Luke Davin and Brian Mannion accounted for their points. Colin Kelly, Nolan (free) and an injury-time orange flag from Paul Conroy rounded out a below-bar return from the Jimmies with the elements. Their best goal chance came when Ruairí King was denied superbly by Creaven when through one-on-one.

At 2-8 to 0-9 on 43 minutes, the match appeared to be meandering towards a Tuam win after points from Jack Grugan and Mark Colleran were cancelled out by Jack O'Neill (two, one 45) for St. James'. Jonah Culligan was also denied by another sharp save from Creaven.

Soon all hell broke loose, and the game was transformed by a scarcely believable spell for St. James' that yielded three goals in less than three minutes. Eoin Finnerty, Daniel McNulty and King were prominent figures and Colin Kelly's partially blocked effort crossed the line for their first. Jack Nolan, Kevin Hourigan and Kelly were involved in the second turned home by Aaron Connolly.

A Dara Heneghan point offered Tuam brief respite until Jonah Culligan arrived off King's shoulder, jinked around the cover and planted a neat finish past Creaven. From eight points down before the break, the Jimmies were suddenly 3-9 to 2-9 up at the three-quarter mark.

Tuam's response was admirable, though, and they went on to outscore St. James' by seven points to three from there to the finish. James Egan saved from Jack Cryan, but St. James' were pinged for touching the ball on the ground in the follow-up, allowing Luke Davin to tap over the first of four points without reply. Ronan Colleran followed suit and the Stars hit the front with a brilliant Brian Mannion two.

By then, the heavens had opened and a thrilling endgame was in motion. Jack Nolan levelled for St. James' following a foul on King. Davin restored Tuam's lead with a free won by Cryan before the city side responded again with a stinging Culligan drive parried up and over by Creaven.

Seasons were on the line in the closing minutes, and it was Tuam who managed the big moments better. Two of their most experienced hands popped up with crucial punched scores. Jamie Murphy nudged them in front and though Kelly, the day's top scorer with 1-2, cancelled it out for James', Rory O'Connor pounced for what proved to be the winner in the third added minute.

There was still time for the Mervue-based club who needed a green or orange flag to stay in the championship. However, Paul Conroy's delivery into a crowded goalmouth was punched wide and their campaign ended as the Stars held on to qualify with Oughterard and Annaghdown.

TUAM STARS: D. Creaven (0-1, 45); D. Cunningham, D. Ó Ruairc, R. O’Connor (0-1); C. Doherty, D. Heneghan (0-1), C. Mitchell; S. McGlinchey (1-1), C. Heneghan (1-0); J. Cryan (0-2), J. Murphy (0-1), C. Rhatigan (captain); B. Mannion (0-3, one 0-2 score), J. Grugan (0-1), L. Davin (0-3, 0-2 frees). Subs: S. Rattigan, for Doherty, 38 mins; M. Colleran (0-1), for Rhatigan, 38 mins; R. Colleran (0-1, free), for Mitchell, 48 mins;

ST. JAMES’: J. Egan; J. Folan, C. O’Regan, E. Moran; E. Finnerty, J. Ryan, D. McNulty; P. Conroy (joint captain, 0-2, 0-2 score), J. O’Neill (0-4, one 0-2 score, 0-1 45); D. Masterson, J. Culligan (1-1), R. King; C. Kelly (1-2), A. Connolly (1-0), J. Nolan (0-3, 0-3 frees). Sub: K. Hourigan, for Masterson, half-time; D. Hynes, for King, 55 mins.

REFEREE: Shane Curley.

HERALD SPORT MAN OF THE MATCH:

Jack Cryan (Tuam Stars).