Why Corofin’s beautiful game is good for the soul
COROFIN captain Michael Lundy said that the intense battle for places in their side ensures they never relent after opening the defence of their Galway SFC title with an emphatic victory at Pearse Stadium.
Corofin, bidding for an eighth county title in a row, scored 7-16 from play in a devastating performance in this unique battle between the All-Ireland senior and intermediate football champions.
Oughterard, back in senior football for the first time in 18 years, missed two gilt-edged goal opportunities when they had the wind in the opening half. In contrast, Corofin nailed both goal chances they created to lead by double scores at 2-8 to 0-7 at the break and it was all one-way traffic after the restart.
“It’s probably the longest period we have gone without a competitive match and with young lads coming through each year, lads are just itching to hold on to their place. It’s great motivation for everyone,” said Lundy.
“The game opened up a bit in the end and the strength of our depth probably showed in the end,” said the corner-forward.
The quality of the squad available to the three-in-a-row All-Ireland champions was emphasised by the fact they could keep former All-Star Ian Burke and Dáithí Burke, the Galway hurling full-back, in reserve, while county midfielder Ronan Steede was replaced beforehand by Colin Brady, who joined his twin Ciarán in the middle of the field.
The retirement of long-serving Kieran Fitzgerald ensured further changing of the guard by a side now unbeaten in 36 successive championship games, but Oughterard were unable to capitalise with Ronan Molloy and Enda Tierney failing to make goal chances count.
Corofin, as usual, were lethal at the other end with Lundy setting
up wing-back Dylan Wall for the opening goal after six minutes and a just before the break the skipper put Mike Farragher through to score from a tight angle. Oughterard had kept in touch with scores from Molloy and Tierney brothers Matthew and Enda, but once Darragh Silke took control after the restart, there was only going to be one outcome.
SCORERS – Corofin: D Silke 1-7; M Lundy 1-3; J Leonard, D Canney 1-1 each; D Wall, M Farragher, M Cooley 1-0
each; G Sice 0-2 (1f); L Silke, Colin Brady, I Burke 0-1 each.
Oughterard: M Tierney (3f), Paul Walsh 0-3 each; R Molloy 0-2; C Harte, E Tierney, N Lee (f) 0-1 each.
COROFIN – B Power; R Mahon, L Silke, C Cunningham; D Wall, K Molloy, D McHugh; Ciarán Brady, Colin Brady; G Sice, D Silke, J Leonard; M Lundy, D Canney, M Farragher,
Subs: D Burke for Farragher (40), C McGrath for Molloy (48), M Cooley for Sice (48), I Burke for Lundy (52), G Burke for Leonard (52).
OUGHTERARD – J Waller; C Hanley, E O’Sullivan, J Webb; C Monaghan, R Monaghan, R Molloy; E Tierney, D Somers; M Tierney, E Lee, Paul Walsh; N Lee, Patrick Walsh, C Harte.
Subs: C Clancy for Molloy (46), PJ McGauley for N Lee (46), D Gibbons for Harte (48), M Kavanagh for Patrick Walsh (53).
REF – T Murphy (Annaghdown).