Corofin got out of jail, admits Sice

Corofin star Gary Sice has conceded that the back-to-back AIB All-Ireland club champions “got out of jail” in the drawn Galway final.

Corofin haven’t lost a championship game in Galway since 2012, when they were defeated by Tuam Stars, and ironically required a couple of late Sice points to hold the same opposition to a draw last weekend. It’ll be the second year running that Corofin, who have won three of the last five All-Irelands, will contest a county final replay though ex-Galway star Sice admitted they’re relieved just to have the opportunity.

It was Sice who struck the 64th and 65th minute points that tied up the game with Tuam Stars.

“Right place, right time,” smiled Sice.

We got out of jail alright but we are still there and that’s all that matters.

“Galway is a tough championship. There’s eight or nine games to get through in Galway alone. It makes for exciting football and we’ve just been glad to be on the right side of the results for most of it. We have work to do now for the next one.”

Despite the result, Corofin remain many people’s favourites to collect a third All-Ireland title in a row in early 2020, something no club has ever achieved.

“We’re a long way from talking about that, we have Sunday week to deal with and that’s what’s in our minds,” insisted Sice, who quit the inter-county game ahead of the 2018 season.

Padraic Joyce was recently installed as the new Galway manager with no great push for Corofin boss Kevin O’Brien despite the club’s remarkable successes. “He’s very happy doing what he is doing, and doing a very good job, so we have no intention of letting him away, if we can,” said Sice of O’Brien.