St James’  0-9

Dunmore MacHales 1-5

By Mike Rafferty at Tuam Stadium

AT the full time whistle, Paul Conroy pumped his fist a few times with glee and satisfaction before embracing his colleague Jack O’Neill. It was a case of job done and a senior football championship win achieved for St James’ as they eventually saw off the committed challenge of Dunmore MacHales at Tuam Stadium on Sunday evening.

However, the city men were put through the ringer for a spell midway through the second half as Gary Delaney’s charges scored four points without reply to take the lead. It hadn’t seemed possible up to that stage as previously Dunmore were very ordinary, before some of their forwards got a chance to show what they could do.

It should be no surprise that it was Conroy who came to the rescue of his side with two late points to seal a victory that appeared to be slipping away from them.

For both of these teams there was a connection to their previous championship match as they each lost big leads on  and while St James managed to draw with Monivea-Abbey, there was nothing to be claimed for Dunmore who lost a nine point advantage against Moycullen.

On this occasion and with the aid of a cross wind, Dunmore struck for an early goal, but that was their lot for the half. Now ammunition is no good if you don’t fire it, but one shot at goal and one wide is indicative of the ailments in today’s style of game. In reality, they didn’t give themselves a chance to win it. Despite facing the elemets, the Mervue and Renmore combination slotted over six points without reply to look in command at the break.

Pictured: Jack Jordan of Dunmore MacHales on the run against St James’ Lee Vahey during the clubs’ senior football championship tussle on Sunday. Photos: David Cunniffe.