Corofin through to Connacht club final

Corofin (Galway) 2-13 Glencar/Manorhamilton (Leitrim) 0-9

Galway side Corofin are on course for back-to-back AIB Connacht Club SFC titles after they made it through to another provincial final, staving off a determined effort from Leitrim champions Glencar/Manorhamilton at Tuam Stadium.

Corofin came into today’s Connacht semi-final without injured full-back Kieran Fitzgerald (hamstring) and free-taker Alan O’Donovan (ankle), but players like teenage forward Michael Farragher really stepped up to the mark.

The 19-year-old Farragher looks a star in the making. He finished the game with a satisfying 1-5 haul, including an injury-time goal which Alan Burke teed up for him.

Glencar/Manorhamilton made a business-like start, with the massive travelling support cheering scores from free-taker James Glancy, David Poniard and Gerry Hickey.

The groundstaff deserve credit for having the pitch in such excellent condition despite the wintry weather in the region over the weekend.

Following up on a pointed free from his captain Kieran Comer, full-forward Joe Canney, who has been troubled by a groin problem, levelled the game for Corofin at 0-2 apiece.

Glencar/Manorhamilton, with centre back Patrick Gilmartin in fine form, capitalised on a mistake by Gary Delaney to edge back in front and Glancy and Hickey sandwiched a punched point from Alan Burke.

Hickey turned Gary Sice inside out before shooting his side into a 0-5 to 0-3 lead, but Corofin found their rhythm in attack before half-time, landing five points in a row.

Team captain Kieran Comer, on free-taking duty, notched two and teenager Ronan Steede, Kieran McGrath and influential midfielder Aidan Donnellan had one apiece as Ger Keane’s men turned things around.

Steede also went close to scoring the game's opening goal after Donnellan had sprung an attack with a searching through ball, while Dominic Kelly and Glancy were both wayward with late chances for the visitors.

0-8 to 0-5 down at the break, Glencar/Manorhamilton closed it back to a one-point game before Corofin broke through for their opening goal - Alan Burke’s ball in caused trouble for the Leitrim side’s defence and while goalkeeper Shane Sweeney made the initial save, Comer was on hand to score on the rebound.

Further points from Farragher and Steede, who both split the posts off their weaker sides, and McGrath confirmed Corofin’s passage through to the final with 10 minutes remaining.

Scores from Aaron Hickey and Glancy reduced the arrears to six points but Corofin had the final say when Farragher flicked home to the net after Burke had played him through on goal.

Corofin were quite fortunate to end the game with 15 players as Galway defender Gary Sice was yellow carded for striking when a red could easily have been produced.