Gaeltacht suppress late Corofin surge, Aghabullogue await in Munster decider 

West Kerry men take control early in Clare and have enough to see off spirited recovery from their hosts

Brian O'Beaglaoich kicked 0-3 including a two-pointer for An Ghaeltacht in Corofin. Pic: Laszlo Geczo, Inpho

Munster Club IFC semi-final: An Ghaeltacht 1-13 (Kerry) Corofin 0-11 (Clare)

For the first time since winning the competition back in 2017, An Ghaeltacht are back in a Munster Clin IFC final via this composed and clinical performance, holding off a spirited late Corofin revival.

The west Kerry side controlled large stretches of the contest, particularly throughout a dominant first half in which their power, pace and efficiency in attack yielded a match-winning platform.

Corofin opened the scoring inside five minutes, Gearóid Cahill slotting a free to give them an early edge. But despite that bright start, they would endure a long and costly scoring drought. After some early wides, An Ghaeltacht settled when PJ Mac Láimh curled over their first point on nine minutes.

Almost immediately, they moved ahead, from the resulting kickout, Corofin were turned over and Éanna Ó Conchúir punished them with a sharp finish. Ó Conchúir added two more, one from play and one from a free, as An Ghaeltacht began to dictate territory and tempo, moving 0-4 to 0-1 in front by the 18th minute mark.

Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich then almost delivered a killer blow, bursting through the Corofin cover, only to see his goalbound strike saved by Luke Neylon.

The warning shot went unheeded, however and five minutes later, a swift counterattack cut Corofin open. Conn Ó Riagáin gathered a long ball into the right channel, released the surging Ó Beaglaoich, and he in turn teed up Tomás Ó Sé, who finished low and confidently to the net. That goal pushed An Ghaeltacht into a commanding 1-4 to 0-1 lead.

Ó Sé and Brian Ó Beaglaoich tacked on further points, stretching the margin to eight. Corofin finally broke their 25-minute scoring famine approaching half-time, McGroary striking a well taken two pointer before Cahill added another from play. But Gavin Ó Cinnéide’s response ensured An Ghaeltacht held a six-point cushion at the break, 1-7 to 0-4.

The second half began much like the first had ended, with Brian Ó Beaglaoich and Ó Sé extending the advantage to nine, the Kerry All-Ireland winner landing a booming two pointer to continue the tempo.

To their credit, Corofin refused to fold. McGroary narrowed the gap with a free and another two pointer, and although An Ghaeltacht replied through Ó Cinnéide and Dara Ó Beaglaoich, the Clare men mounted a furious late charge. Cahill struck three points and Jamie Malone added another, hauling Corofin back to within four.

But when they needed goals, An Ghaeltacht’s defence held firm. Deep in injury time, Ó Conchúir capped his influential display with a free that sealed a deserved victory.

Scorers for Corofin: G Cahill (0-5, 1f), C McGroary (0-5, 2tpf, 1f), J Malone (0-1).

Scorers for An Ghaeltacht: T Ó Sé (1-2), É Ó Conchúir (0-4, 2f), B Ó Beaglaoich (0-3, 1 2pt), G Ó Cinnéide (0-2), PJ Mac Láimh, D Ó Beaglaoich (0-1 each).

COROFIN: L Neylon; M O’Loughlin, C O’Donovan, J Rees; C Flanagan, D O’Loughlin, K Keane; C McGroary, G Kelly; C Doolin, J Malone, E Doolin; D Cahill, G Cahill, S Kirby.

Subs: J Ryan for C Flanagan (42)

AN GHAELTACHT: S Ó Luing; C Ó Murchú, R Ó Beaglaoich, A Mac Amhlaoibh; P Ó Sé, B Ó Beaglaoich, A Ó Beaglaoich; A Walsh, C Ó Beaglaoich; G Ó Cinnéide, D Ó Beaglaoich, PJ Mac Láimh; C Ó Riagáin, É Ó Conchúir, T Ó Sé (DC).

Subs: D Ó Séaghada for D Ó Beaglaoich (52), Ó Ó Sé for T Ó Sé, C Mac Gearailt for C Ó Riagáin (Both 57), C Ó Corrduibh for PJ Mac Láimh (60+1).

Referee: D O’Mahony (Tipperary)