COROFIN SECURE A SHOT AT GLORY
REIGNING All-Ireland champions Corofin will have a chance to win back-to-back titles after they beat Gaoth Dobhair at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada in Carrick-on-Shannon.
The Donegal contingent made up the vast majority of the 5,109 in attendance and the experience of Kevin O’Brien’s side was crucial. Gary Sice kicked 1-7 and Martin Farragher added the second goal. Kevin Cassidy hit back but Gaoth Dobhair trailed 2-7 to 1-5 at half-time. And despite a black card for jointcaptain Micheal Lundy, Corofin advanced.
‘Our experience counted. We got the goal before half-time and that was a crucial score,’ said O’Brien. Farragher provided that effort after three points from Odhrán Mac Niallais, Niall Friel and Cian Mulligan.
Corofin’s first goal arrived in the 16th minute. Christopher Sweeney saved well from Kieran Molloy but Sice blasted the rebound to the net. Cassidy scored just two minutes later following Bernard Power’s brilliant save from Christopher McFadden.
However Martin Farragher finished in the 30th minute and Sice gave Corofin a 2-7 to 1-5 half-time advantage. Lundy got a black card six minutes after the interval when he hauled down Odhrán McFadden-Ferry but Corofin held their heads.