Galway SFC final: Holders Annaghdown sadly lacking in firepower

Corofin 3-11 Annaghdown 2-2

Favourites Corofin were so much in control for long periods of the game that they were certainties to win their 10th title long before wing-back Alan Burke scored the third of their goals in injury-time. Holders Annaghdown struggled and were limited to a late goal in the first half and a single point from play just before the finish, and it just about summed up their display.

Winning manager Tom Greaney was all the more pleased in view of the team's dismissal in their first outing twelve months ago. "This is a young team with an awful lot of skill and they showed what they are capable of if they are allowed play football,'' he said. "The wind did not bother them in the first half. They are a very good team to carry the ball. They do not depend on driving the ball long and today went particularly well.''

Team captain Ray Silke celebrated a seventh championship medal in 11 years, along with Michael Donnellan and Trevor Burke. He had no doubt that their surprise defeat last year had been a huge motivation all season.

"We were very focused. We had nine under-21s involved and there's an awful lot of talent there. But you would have to say from Annaghdown's perspective that it's very difficult to win two years in a row,'' he commented.

Significantly, in view of the way the game was to develop, Corofin went on the offensive from the opening minutes, even though they were playing into a strong wind. And it was notable that midfielder Kieran Comer (highly influential in Galway's All-Ireland

Under-21 success), was one of the key players over the course of the first quarter when they scored five points without reply. And Michael Comer was doing as good a marking job in the right corner on his Galway team-mate Damien Burke as he had managed against Dublin's Alan Brogan in the Under-21 decider.

Likewise, Ray Silke covered well at centre-back and generally was a calming influence on the defence.

Annaghdown just were not able to compete, despite the best efforts of Matt Duggan and a few others and progress was minimal in attack where Burke lacked real support. However, after Corofin added a well-taken goal from Trevor Burke (set up by David Hanly) in the 17th minute, the holders got the boost they badly needed when Damien Burke had the ball in the net four minutes later. He timed a run into the small square to perfection, to push home a right-wing cross from full-forward Michael Newell. However, that proved to be their only score of the half, even though much improved covering in defence did limit the scoring opportunities for Corofin. Yet, they came close to getting another goal in the 23rd minute when Alan Burke put the unmarked Derek Reilly through only to see keeper Gerry Cahill save his low shot. At the break, it was 1-5 to 1-0.

Annaghdown gave promise of a revival when Michael Newell goaled within seven minutes of the resumption after taking a pass from Niall Coleman. Newell was to be much more involved, Damien Burke threatened a bit more and Vincent Small did excellent work on the right flank of the defence. Ultimately, all their good work was to be in vain, because

Corofin strengthened their grip on the play through better teamwork and more crafty play. Kieran Comer, contining to impress, had a hand in Corofin's seconed goal, in the 48th minute when his quick free was crossed by Hanly for Shane Conlisk to goal from close range.

After that, there was no way back for Annahdown, whose solitary point from play (from Newell) came two minutes into injury time. And, to emphasised their dominance on the day, Corofin finished in a flourish with an Alan Burke goal (the result of a handling error by the goalkeeper) and a point from Kieran Comer, who was more than a deserving winner of the Man of the Match award.

Scorers: Corofin - T. Burke 1-1; A. Burke and S. Conlisk 1-0 each; A. O'Donovan 0-3 (0-2 frees); Kieran Comer 0-3 (0-1 free); D. Reilly 0-2; J. Lardner and Kevin Comer 0-1 each.

Annaghdown: D. Burke 1-1 (0-1 free) and M. Newell 1-1 each.

COROFIN: D. Morris; G. Delaney, K. Fitzgerald, M. Comer; A. Burke, R. Silke (capt.), D. Burke; Kieran Comer, A. Donnellan; T. Burke, J. Lardner, D. Hanly; D. Reilly, S. Conlisk, A. O'Donovan. Subs: E. Killeen for Reilly (44th minute); Kevin Comer for Lardner (50th); B. Silke for Fitzgerald (injured 52nd); M. Donnellan for Hanly and D. Newell for Conlisk (58th).

ANNAGHADOWN: G. Cahill; V. Small, A. Fitzpatrick (capt.), B. Newell; B. Qualter, P. Creaven, M. O'Neill; M. Duggan, N. Coleman; M. Melia, M. Duggan, R. Leonard; D. Burke, M. Newell, S. Kavanagh. Subs: K. Keane for B. Newell (24th minute); L. O'Flynn for Creaven (second half); P.J. Fahy for Melia (42nd); C. Leonard for Kavanagh (51st).

Referee: P. Joyce (Na Piarsaigh, Rosmuc).