Galway SFC: Corofin set up Salthill/Knocknacarra semi-final showdown

The Galway kingins got past a spirited Killannin challenge in the quarter-finals.

Veteran Gary Sice was among the scorers as Corofin booked their last four place. File pic: Ray Ryan/Sportsfile

Reigning Galway SFC champions Corofin, bidding for their 20th crown in the past 34 years, will take on Salthill/Knocknacarra in the semi-finals, while Tuam Stars will meet Maigh Cuilinn in the other last four encounter.

Corofin held off a spirited challenge from Killannin in the quarter-finals. They got a glorious start with a goal from Dylan Canney after just 45 seconds but a goal from Cian Folan after 22 minutes brought Killannin back into contention.

Gary Sice and Kieran Molloy kicked points before the break as the champions led by 1-5 to 1-2 at the break after playing with the wind.

Conor Cunningham and Patrick Egan extended that lead to five after the restart but Killannin hit back with Dara Walsh, son of former Galway star and manager Kevin, leading the way with some quality scores but they were unable to get a second goal in a tight finish.

Salthill/Knocknacarra came good in the second-half to see off Dunmore MacHales by 0-12 to 0-7. The sides were deadlocked at 0-4 apiece at the break, with Salthill/Knocknacarra introducing Rob Finnerty for his first action since the All-Ireland final loss to Armagh.

But it was points from Tomo Culhane and Evan Murphy which made the difference as Salthill/Knocknacarra, managed by former Galway captain Finian Hanley, booked their place in the last four with John Maher outstanding around the middle of the field.

Peter Cooke, unavailable to Galway this year in their march to the All-Ireland final due to work commitments, was outstanding as last year’s runners-up Maigh Cuilinn came from behind to see off the challenge of neighbours Oughterard.

Oughterard, with Matthew Tierney leading their challenge, led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval but Maigh Cuilinn dominated after the restart and booked a semi-final spot for the sixth year in a row.

Damien Comer’s Annaghdown bowed out when they went down by 1-10 to 1-7 to a Tuam Stars side looking for their first county title since winning a record 25th crown back in 1994.

A goal from Aonghus Tierney just before the interval put Tuam Stars in the driving seat at 1-5 to 0-3.

They pushed on from there as Annaghdown struggled for scores and former Galway captain Gary O’Donnell ahead by double scores at 1-9 to 0-6 after 40 minutes before they advanced to the semi-finals by 1-10 to 1-7 even though Comer got a consolation goal in the fifth minute of added time.

Meanwhile, reigning Galway hurling champions St Thomas’, chasing a record seventh title in a row, have advanced to the last eight after seeing off neighbours Craughwell by 2-21 to 1-13. Eanna Burke, who shot the winning point in the All-Ireland club final in January, and his brother Darragh got the goals.