Corofin reclaim Galway title in style, as they do

BACK ON TOP: Dylan McHugh of Corofin lifts the Gaway SFC trophy. Pic: ©INPHO/Natasha Barton

Corofin: 1-11 Moycullen: 1-09 

They came to Pearse Stadium as significant underdogs. They left undefeated across 17 games in league and championship and back on the summit of Galway football. 

On Sunday, Corofin claimed their 22nd Galway SFC in style title by dethroning Moycullen. As they do.

For manager Kevin Johnson, it is three county titles in three different counties adding to his success with Tourlestrane and Ballintubber.

“I am delighted with that performance and I’m so proud of that group,” Johnson said post-match. “We put an awful lot of work into this year. To go unbeaten is an incredible feat. From the first game in March, every second week.

“We used the league to develop and embed younger players into the team, there was gametime there for them and in a county final that momentum brought us over the line.” 

Moycullen were without Galway captain Sean Kelly, ruled out before throw-in due to a hamstring injury. They also came up against an exceptional outfit who have seamlessly integrated a victorious U19 team with their All-Ireland winning stalwarts.

Corofin were without intercounty star Ian Burke and Jason Leonard, their best player in the opening rounds. They were up against the reigning Connacht champions. They are still Corofin.

All over the field there was exciting matchups. Galway team-mates Kieran Molloy and Peter Cooke made for each other early on. Moycullen captain and leading scorer Dessie Connelly faced his toughest test yet with Liam Silke beside him. The sharpshooter started brightly to win a free and convert it for the opening score. 

From there he was cancelled out entirely in a dual that defined the game. Connelly did not score from play. Silke scored two points and created a goal.

“Players like Liam Silke, Dylan McHugh, Kieran Molloy, they have played at the highest level. When you have them at the back, you know you are safe as houses. It is just brilliant.” 

It was the same wintery conditions and heavy pitch that has hosted recent club deciders with a crucial degree of class that was sorely lacking elsewhere. 

Cooke and Tony Gill exchanged superb long-range scores. Owen Gallagher drove hard at defenders all day, yielding two points and two assists.

Cooke’s second point of the day, an outside-of-the-boot beauty from just inside the 45, left the sides level. 

It fell to Molloy to respond at the other end in precisely the same fashion, collecting a Cathal Silke pass outside the 45 and immediately unleashing a right-footed effort over. Corofin headed for the dressing room 0-7 to 0-6 up having played into the breeze.

In the first half Moycullen’s conversion was a perfect 100%. They started the second with one point from five shots. That imprecision allowed Corofin to stretch seven in front thanks to some driving runs from Conor Cunningham and outstanding free-taking by 38-year-old Gary Sice.

The final point in that dominant spell embodied every element of this club’s greatness. Cooke carried down the middle and was turned over by rising midfielder Patrick Egan. 

Dylan Wall sent a terrific kick inside to Mike Farragher who had Liam Silke coming on a support line. A sweeping move completed to make it 0-11 to 0-7. As they looked to close it out, Corofin called on their stalwarts. Micheal Lundy, Mike Farragher and Martin Farragher all came on before the end.

Then came the killer blow. Another penetrating Liam Silke run yielded a Tony Gill goal. Former Offaly captain Johnny Moloney hit back with a green flag of his own in response, but it was too little, too late. 

Deep in extra-time, Gallagher was fouled on the 21-metre line and Connelly had a chance to go for goal with the free. His driven effort flashed over and the final whistle sounded right after.

Corofin march on to play the winners Fulham Irish and Ballina Stephenites.

“You want to play against the best,” said Johnson. “We just take it one game at a time. ‘Let’s go unbeaten in Galway.’ We did that. In two weeks’ time we have another game. Today was such a massive day for this group, this particular group hasn’t been successful and now they have, that is very rewarding.” 

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

Scorers for Moycullen: Johnny Moloney 1-1, Owen Gallagher 0-2, Peter Cooke 0-2, Dessie Connelly 0-2 (2 frees), James McLaughlin 0-2.

Corofin: B Power; L Silke, C Cunningham, C Silke; K Molloy, D McHugh, G Burke; P Egan, C Brady; B Cogger, D Wall, T Gill; D Silke, G Sice, J McCabe.

Subs: M Farragher for D Silke and M Lundy for McCabe (38), G McHugh for C Brady (58), M Farragher for Wall (60).

Moycullen: A Power; C Corcoran, E Kelly, N Mulcahy; J Moloney, D Wynne, A Claffey; J McLaughlin, G Davoren; P Cooke, T Clarke, M Moghan; P Kelly, O Gallagher, D Connelly.

Subs: M O’Reilly for Moghan (34), D Cox for Clarke (55), N Walsh for P Kelly (58), M Lydon for Claffey (63).

Referee: T Murphy (Annaghdown)