We take a look back at Tuam RFC's journey to their first final in 48 years which began back in January when they were given a tough tie, Ballina in Garraun Park.
🏉ROUND OF 16
🔴Tuam 25 Ballina 12
After a difficult league campaign and only a few weeks after a heavy defeat to tabletoppers and unbeaten Ballina in the league, Tuam faced the Mayomen again, as their cup ambitions began with a tough task at Garraun Park, in the opening round.
The conditions were tough on a very wet, cold and windy Sunday afternoon. The game was going to the recent form when tries by Liam Jones and Cian Anderson along with a Craig McCormick conversion put Ballina 12-0 up after 34 minutes.
Tuam finished the half strongly with Johannes Terblanche getting over for a try which Luke Cronin converted. The sides were level at the break when Alan Finnerty, back after a three month injury lay off, powered over for a try. 12-12 at the break.
Rather than fade in the second half, Tuam hit the ground running with a Luke Cronin penalty and a long range Matthew Ward penalty to take the lead for the first time. On top of this Tuam's defensive effort was magnificent as they kept their opponents scoreless in the new half. They never relinquished their advantage as it was a day to remember for the homeside as Ross Fahy added a try and Cronin a conversion as Tuam sealed a fantastic win.
🏉QUARTER-FINAL
🔵Tuam 27 Westport 26
In a repeat of the 2023 cup semi-final tie which Westport won and went on to lift the cup, Tuam took on Westport under lights on the first Saturday in February.
A lively opening saw Westport score a try with mere seconds gone on the clock. Tom Devor getting over and Alan Masterson converting. Although Seàn Maughan replied with a Tuam try, Masterson added three more penalties as Westport began to dominate. Matthew Ward did get a penalty for Tuam but a Kevin Corcoran try late in the half had Tuam trailing 21-8 at the break.
Tuam had to come out all guns blazing in the second half and they did. Four minutes in, Owen Halion touched down after a driving maul and Ward added the extras. The momentum was now with Tuam and a second try arrived soon after with Johannes Terblanche getting over to cut the deficit to one point. Tuam had to wait until the 76th minute to take the lead for the first time when a piece of magic by Luke Cronin set up Ross Fahy who touched down and Cronin added the extras.
Westport got a late try through Harry Sheridan but crucially the conversion attempt went the wrong side of the posts as Tuam held on for a hard earned one point win.
🏉SEMI-FINAL
🔴Tuam 17 Dunmore 11
A packed Garraun Park was the venue for this eagerly awaited semi-final between two neighbouring sides. A Conor Burns penalty put the league finalists in front but Tuam got the game's first try when Johannes Terblanche got over the whitewash after a driving Tuam maul. However, Dunmore led at the break courtesy of another Conor Burns penalty.
Tuam started the second half on the front foot and wasted no time in getting the game's second try when Johannes Terblanche burst up the wing, chasing his grubber kick, to touch down in the corner. Cronin added the conversion.
Tuam were in dreamland when the quick-thinking Sean Brandon pounced in the forty-eight minute with an opportunistic try to give his side a 17-6 lead. Despite a Max Immelman try, Tuam saw out the game to reach their first final in 48 years.
🏉THE FINAL
🔵Tuam take on Creggs in Dexcom Stadium on Monday, April 6th, with the game kicking off at 6pm seeking to win their first ever Connacht Junior Cup.
(Article published, Friday, April 3rd, 2026).
🏉ROUND OF 16
🔴Tuam 25 Ballina 12
After a difficult league campaign and only a few weeks after a heavy defeat to tabletoppers and unbeaten Ballina in the league, Tuam faced the Mayomen again, as their cup ambitions began with a tough task at Garraun Park, in the opening round.
The conditions were tough on a very wet, cold and windy Sunday afternoon. The game was going to the recent form when tries by Liam Jones and Cian Anderson along with a Craig McCormick conversion put Ballina 12-0 up after 34 minutes.
Tuam finished the half strongly with Johannes Terblanche getting over for a try which Luke Cronin converted. The sides were level at the break when Alan Finnerty, back after a three month injury lay off, powered over for a try. 12-12 at the break.
Rather than fade in the second half, Tuam hit the ground running with a Luke Cronin penalty and a long range Matthew Ward penalty to take the lead for the first time. On top of this Tuam's defensive effort was magnificent as they kept their opponents scoreless in the new half. They never relinquished their advantage as it was a day to remember for the homeside as Ross Fahy added a try and Cronin a conversion as Tuam sealed a fantastic win.
🏉QUARTER-FINAL
🔵Tuam 27 Westport 26
In a repeat of the 2023 cup semi-final tie which Westport won and went on to lift the cup, Tuam took on Westport under lights on the first Saturday in February.
A lively opening saw Westport score a try with mere seconds gone on the clock. Tom Devor getting over and Alan Masterson converting. Although Seàn Maughan replied with a Tuam try, Masterson added three more penalties as Westport began to dominate. Matthew Ward did get a penalty for Tuam but a Kevin Corcoran try late in the half had Tuam trailing 21-8 at the break.
Tuam had to come out all guns blazing in the second half and they did. Four minutes in, Owen Halion touched down after a driving maul and Ward added the extras. The momentum was now with Tuam and a second try arrived soon after with Johannes Terblanche getting over to cut the deficit to one point. Tuam had to wait until the 76th minute to take the lead for the first time when a piece of magic by Luke Cronin set up Ross Fahy who touched down and Cronin added the extras.
Westport got a late try through Harry Sheridan but crucially the conversion attempt went the wrong side of the posts as Tuam held on for a hard earned one point win.
🏉SEMI-FINAL
🔴Tuam 17 Dunmore 11
A packed Garraun Park was the venue for this eagerly awaited semi-final between two neighbouring sides. A Conor Burns penalty put the league finalists in front but Tuam got the game's first try when Johannes Terblanche got over the whitewash after a driving Tuam maul. However, Dunmore led at the break courtesy of another Conor Burns penalty.
Tuam started the second half on the front foot and wasted no time in getting the game's second try when Johannes Terblanche burst up the wing, chasing his grubber kick, to touch down in the corner. Cronin added the conversion.
Tuam were in dreamland when the quick-thinking Sean Brandon pounced in the forty-eight minute with an opportunistic try to give his side a 17-6 lead. Despite a Max Immelman try, Tuam saw out the game to reach their first final in 48 years.
🏉THE FINAL
🔵Tuam take on Creggs in Dexcom Stadium on Monday, April 6th, with the game kicking off at 6pm seeking to win their first ever Connacht Junior Cup.
(Article published, Friday, April 3rd, 2026).
