Galway SFC: Corofin sweep Salthill-Knocknacarra aside in semi-final

BACK AGAIN: Patrick Egan of Corofin in action agianst John Maher of Salthill/Knocknacarra in the Galway SFC semi-final at Tuam Stadium. Photo: Ray Ryan

Galway SFC semi-final: Corofin: 1-11 Salthill-Knocknacarra: 0-5 

Here they come again. Corofin are one step away from defending the Frank Fox Cup after sweeping Salthill-Knocknacarra away in the Galway SFC semi-final.

On paper, this tie had all the makings of a blockbuster matchup. Galway All-Star nominees Dylan McHugh and Robert Finnerty lined up alongside each other with Liam Silke marking Salthill’s other dangerman Tomo Culhane. 

Former intercounty goalkeepers togged at either end, Limerick’s Donal O’Sullivan starting in goals for Finian Hanley’s side and Bernard Power opposite him. Footballer of the Year contender John Maher was in midfield against rising prospect Patrick Egan.

Within minutes, however, it was clear this contest would be utterly one-sided. With the wind at their backs, Corofin led by five points to no score after the opening quarter. Senior panellist Jack McCabe ensured they enjoyed the perfect start as he was fouled for a converted free and curled over a beauty from the terrace side early on.

Points from Dylan Wall, Dylan Canney and a long-range Gary Sice score extended their advantage. Meanwhile, their nervy opponents continued to offer them a steady supply of possession with several sloppy turnovers. 

Salthill-Knocknacarra failed to score from play in the opening half, with one Robert Finnerty free all they could muster. They had two other shots at the posts, an O’Sullivan free that went wide and a short Culhane effort. Another Sice free made it 0-6 to 0-1 at the turnaround.

Liam Silke and Conor Cunningham gave a demonstration of how to attack into the breeze with their driving runs eventually producing a free and yellow card for Charlie Power. Sice converted once more to make the margin six.

Maher seemingly took inspiration from that play and earned a free for Culhane. That spark was quickly quenched. Sice swung over his fourth and was then pulled down by replacement Mark Mannion resulting in a black card.

Corofin’s Leonard was shown a black card subsequently, but it made little difference. Playing closer to the square than usual, Dylan McHugh still gave a defensive masterclass all afternoon and finished with a point of his own.

With the clock in the red, Silke took his chance to drive into space. The end result was a penalty, well-taken by Dylan Canney. For the neutrals that thronged to Tuam Stadium, it was a disappointing display. For Corofin, it was awesome.

Scorers for Corofin: G. Sice 0-5 (4 free); D. Canney 1-2 (1-0 pen); D. Wall, J. McCabe, D McHugh, J Leonard (free) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Salthill-Knocknacarra: R. Finnerty 0-3 (2 free), T. Culhane 0-2 (1 free).

COROFIN: B. Power; L. Silke, C. Silke, B. Cogger; D. McHugh, C. Cunningham, K. Molloy; P. Egan, M. Farragher; D. Wall, J. McCabe, J. Leonard; D. Silke, G. Sice, D. Canney.

Subs: M. Lundy for McCabe (41); T. Gill for Wall (56); C. Brady for D. Silke (60), G. Burke for Cogger (62), C. Brady for Farragher (65).

SALTHILL-KNOCKNACARRA: D. O’Sullivan; P. Kitt, E. Deely, E. Wynne; C. Sweeney, J. McDermott, D. O’Flaherty; J. Maher, M. Culhane; E. Murphy, M. Thompson, C. Halloran; C. Power, T. Culhane, R. Finnerty.

Subs: M. Mannion for Murphy (38); S. O Leidhinn for Thompson (45-60, Temp); R. Waltzer for Culhane (50); Culhane for Halloran (53); M. Kitt for Power (57).

Referee: (M Flaherty).