St James’ 1-17

Milltown 1-11

By Eanna O’Reilly at Tuam Stadium

St James’ booked their place in the last eight of the senior football championship with a convincing victory over Milltown on Sunday afternoon in Tuam Stadium. The city side had far too much quality for their opponents and were fully deserving of the result against a Milltown side which flattered to deceive.

Eoin Godwin’s charges had two-point lead at half-time, after a promising first-half performance. However, Milltown failed to push on and were comprehensively outplayed in the second-half. The North Galway side could have no complaints with the result on the day.

Playing with the wind in the opening half, Milltown began brightly with an impressive two-pointer from James Kavanagh after three minutes. However, St James’ soon asserted themselves with four consecutive points.

Jonah Culligan, Jack O’Neill, Johnny Duane, and Brian Kane all registered scores as St James’ looked lively in attack. Michael Martin soon pointed his first free at the other end, after a foul on Eoin Mannion.

Two minutes later, St James’ goalkeeper Cian Costelloe landed a ’45, to give them a 0-5 to 0-3 lead. Milltown dominated the second quarter of the game and outscored their opponents by 0-4 to 0-1. Godwin’s charges began to use the elements to good effect, with Michael Martin sending over an impressive two-pointer from the right wing.

An excellent delivery from Kavanagh found Mannion in the inside line, and the corner forward took a good score over his shoulder. Mark Hehir then pointed a free, after a foul on Mannion, who was causing problems for St James’.

Jack Nolan pointed his first free at the other end, before Sam Feerick took a good score for Milltown, after a pass from Liam Costello. It left the North Galway side ahead by 0-8 to 0-6 at half time.

The city side narrowed the margin shortly after the resumption, when Costelloe landed his second ’45 of the afternoon. Brian Kane then took an impressive score from a tight angle in the right corner, which levelled the contest.

Michael Martin edged Milltown ahead with a free, after a foul on Mike McWalters. However, Milltown failed to score again during the next 15 minutes. St James’ completely took over, tallying seven consecutive points to take control of the game.

Nolan pointed two close-range frees, before he kicked a superb two-pointer from the right wing, after a pass from Dessie Hynes. Nolan then set up Culligan, who fisted over from close range. St James’ looked to have all the energy and were playing at a pace their opponents couldn’t replicate.

Pictured: Michael Martin of Milltown drives past the challenge of Ryan O’Toole of St Michael’s in Tuam Stadium last Sunday. Photo: David Cunniffe.