*Michael Neylon. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
FOR THE second year in a row, Miltown Malbay’s Michael Neylon has coached Tuam Stars to success in Division 1 of the Galway Football League.
Tuam Stars retained their Division 1 league title with a 2-12 1-14 extra time win over Corofin with former Clare U20 football manager Michael Neylon coaching the side to glory once again. The sides clashed in the league final for the third year running. It is the first time since 1980 that Tuam Stars won back to back league titles.
They welcomed back Galway senior football panellists, Shay McGlinchey and Dara Heneghan to action following Padraic Joyce’s exit in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals to Dublin.
Conor Doherty’s first half goal had the Stars 1-4 0-6 in front at the interval. The sides were level by the forty first minute but then Corofin took control to carve out a three point advantage with twelve mintues remaining. Tuam forced extra time with points from Sean Rattigan, Dara Heneghan and Brian Mannion.
Mannion struck a decisive extra time goal to see Stars retain their title in what was an excellent pre-championship workout.
It is the fourth league final in a row that Tuam Stars have lined out in, they lost back to back deciders in 2023 and 2024 before the arrival of Neylon to their coaching ticket.
Beaten semi-finalists in last year’s championship exiting to eventual winners Maigh Cuilinn, Stars are drawn in group four of the Galway SFC alongside Ougherard, Annaghdown and St James’.
Neylon’s native St Joseph’s Miltown came up just short in their pursuit of league success when a Thomas Collins two pointer in additional time saw Lissycasey claim the Cusack Cup at their expense on Sunday.
Manager of the Clare U20 footballers for five years, Neylon “with regret” resigned from the role in November 2024. Prior to this, he managed St Joseph’s Miltown to win the Clare SFC on two occasions and served as a selector with the Clare senior footballers under the late Mick O’Dwyer and Colm Collins.
