Tuam Stars became the third Galway team to capture the All-Ireland football sevens in Glenalbyn on Saturday when registering a 1-9 to 1-7 win over Castleblaney Faughs.
The competition enjoyed a high profile with top referees Pat McEnaney of Monaghan and Mick Curley of Galway both officiating. And as it turned out, their respective counties won through to the final with Castleblaney Faugh's aiming to atone for their defeat in the 1997 final to hosts Kilmacud Crokes.
The Galway side held the edge in the first half as Castleblaney struggled to combat Tuam's influence in midfield. With Tuam's Francis Fallon converting a penalty, Tuam led 1-4 to 1-1 at the interval. And further points after the break helped stretch Tuam's lead despite a concerted effort by Castleblaney in defence.
Quarter-finals: An Riocht (Down) 0-12 Castlewellan (Down) 0-14, Castleblaney Faughs (Monaghan) 1-6 Kilmacud Crokes 0-8, Castlehaven (Cork) 2-9 Corofin (Galway) 1-13, Tuam Stars (Galway) 2-10 Bryansford (Down) 1-12.
Semi-finals: Castlewellan 0-12 Castleblaney 0-12 (Castleblaney win on shoot-out), Corofin 3-5 Tuam Stars 2-10:
Final: Tuam Stars 1-9 (T Costello 0-4, F Fallon 1-1, D Cleary 0-2, A Dempsey, D Manley 0-1 each) Castleblaney 1-7 (K Tavey 0-5, A Tavey 1-0, K Treacy 0 -2).
