Bon Secours Galway SFC Final

Corofin 1-11 Maigh Cuilinn 1-9

By Cian O’Connell at Pearse Stadium

Corofin’s story is sprinkled with success on the local, provincial, and national stage, but this was a particularly sweet triumph in Salthill.

Not since the early 90s had Corofin entered a county decider as underdogs, but they snapped into this contest with real vigour.

Maigh Cuilinn, without talisman Seán Kelly due to injury, were admirably efficient in the opening period clipping 0-6 from six attempts, but they were unable to maintain that level.

Meanwhile, Corofin’s collection of emerging and established players stayed defiant, landing scores with Tony Gill’s 50th minute goal sending them seven clear.

In the dying embers Maigh Cuilinn reeled off 1-2 on the spin, including a Johnny Maloney major, but it wasn’t enough. Corofin weren’t going to be stopped.

Kevin Johnson, the highly regarded Corofin manager, has now added a Galway title to a CV featuring silverware with Tourlestrane in Sligo and Ballintubber in Mayo.

The fact that so many of the new generation of Corofin talent contributed handsomely added another layer of satisfaction.

Patrick Egan’s industrious display, Gavin Burke’s skill, and Tony Gill’s bursts were key factors in this win. When Corofin’s need was great early on, Gary Sice supplied the leadership and a couple of gorgeous scores midway through the opening period.

When the first half concluded Corofin were 0-7 to 0-6 ahead. Peter Cooke and Owen Gallagher had rifled over two points each for Maigh Cuilinn, who had a 100 per cent conversion rate.

Corofin’s was 70%, but crucially they were holding possession impressively with Dylan Wall and Liam Silke hugely effective.

Silke drove forward to telling effect on a couple of occasions and his 50th minute dart released Gill to make the Maigh Cuilinn net dance.

That Corofin goal guided Johnson’s charges 1-11 to 0-7 in front before the inevitable Maigh Cuilinn rally.

Johnny Moloney struck a point followed by a stoppage time goal. Dessie Conneely’s subsequent last gasp free went over so Corofin prevailed.

Back on familiar ground, the Corofin flag is perched proudly on the summit of Galway football.

Scorers for Corofin: Gary Sice 0-5 (4fs), Tony Gill 1-1, Liam Silke 0-2, Kieran Molloy, Patrick Egan, and Dylan Wall 0-1 each.

Scorers for Maigh Cuilinn: Johnny Moloney 1-1, Peter Cooke, James McLoughlin, Owen Gallagher, and Dessie Conneely (2fs) 0-2 each.

Corofin: Bernard Power; Conor Cunningham, Liam Silke, Cathal Silke; Kieran Molloy, Dylan McHugh, Gavin Burke; Patrick Egan, Ciaran Brady; Brian Cogger, Dylan Wall, Tony Gill; Darragh Silke, Gary Sice, Jack McCabe.

Subs: Micheál Lundy for McCabe (37), Mike Farragher for D Silke (37), Martin Farragher for Wall (60+1)

Maigh Cuilinn: Aindriú de Paor; Conor Corcoran, Eoghan Kelly, Neil Mulcahy; Johnny Moloney, David Wynne, Aidan Claffey; James McLoughlin, Tom Clarke; Mícheál Ó Mocháin, Gerard Davoren, Peter Cooke; Paul Kelly, Dessie Conneely, Owen Gallagher.

Subs: Michéal O’Reilly for Ó Mocháin (34), Daniel Cox for Clarke (55), Niall Walsh for P Kelly (58), Mark Lydon for Claffey (60+3).

Referee: Thomas Murphy.