Connacht SFC- Corofin advance to final
A brave effort from Leitrim champions Glencar/Manorhamilton fell short at Tuam Stadium yesterday as Corofins greater experience saw them advance to the final.
The champions had to recover from a strong opening quarter from a Glencar/Manor side who were hoping to become the first side from Leitrim in 12 years to reach the provincial decider.
Glencar/Manor were well worth their 0-5 to 0-3 lead after 13 minutes and Corofin, without injured Galway star Kieran Fitzgerald and top scorer Alan ODonovan, were clearly rattled.
But then Corofin took over and they held the Leitrim kingpins scoreless for the next 20 minutes before turning the screw in the second half to run out easy winners.
James Glancy kicked two frees for the visitors — one a superb effort from the left touchline — while David Poinard, Brian McDonald and Gerry Hickey also found the range to put Glencar/Manor 0-5 to 0-3 in front after 13 minutes.
pace
But the pace of county player Alan Burke and Galway minor Ronan Steede started to yield dividends for Corofin and they finished the opening half strongly with captain Kieran Comer landing a couple of frees and Steede, Aidan Donnellan and Kieran McGrath finding their range.
Glancy ended a 20-minute barren spell when he pointed from play three minutes after the restart and then he kicked another wonderful free –this time with his left foot — to leave just a point between them with 22 minutes left.
But the Leitrim champions managed just two more points from there to the end as Damien Burke, Cathal Silke and Tony Goggins shored up their defence.
A point from Michael Farragher after 39 minutes meant that all six Corofin forwards found the target but the decisive score came after 44 minutes when a Ronan Steede effort was saved by Shane Sweeney but Comer followed up to blast home the rebound to send Corofin on their way.
scorers — Corofin: K Comer 1-3 (3fs); M Farragher 1-2; K McGrath, R Steede 0-2 each; A Donnellan, A Burke, J Canney, S Monaghan 0-1 each. Glencar/Manorhamilton: J Glancy 0-5 (4f); D Poinard, B McDonald, G Hickey, A Hickey 0-1 each.
Corofin — D Morris; G Delaney, D Burke, C Silke; D Keane, T Goggins, G Sice; G Higgins, A Donnellan; M Farragher, K McGrath, R Steede; K Comer, J Canney, A Burke. Subs: S Monaghan for Delaney (44), J Burke for Steede (54).
Glencar/Manorhamilton — S Sweeney; D Poinard, A OFlynn, P Maguire; J OBrien, P Gilmartin, J Gilmartin; D Sweeney, A Hickey; G Hickey, C Ryan, D Kelly; J Glancy, B McDonald, A Croal. Subs: T McDonald for Poinard (33) A McDonald for OBrien (38), F McGourty for B McDonald (45), A Sweeney for Ryan (50), S Kerrigan for Croal (55).
Ref — D Hunt (Roscommon)
09-Nov-09 by Irish Independant.ie
