Champions Corofin survive major fright from Breathnach’s

Corofin 2-8

Mícheál Breathnach 1-9

ALL-Ireland champions Corofin came back from a five point half-time deficit to edge out Mícheál Breathnach in an enthralling encounter at Pearse Stadium on Sunday evening. A goal from Corofin’s Gary Sice made the difference as the reigning county champions came through a tough test that also showed the men from Indreabhán’s title credentials.

Coming into the game,. Corofin coach Stephen Rochford was without a number of first choice players with backs Cathal Silke and Conor Cunningham headed stateside along with forward Martin Farragher while Kieran Fitzgerald (knee) and Greg Higgins (hip) were still nursing injuries.

Daithí Burke started centre back however after starring in Galway’s victory over Laois in the Leinster SHC semi-final in Tullamore the previous evening. Mícheál Breathnach on the other side were given a fitness boost before the game with full back Pádraig Tim Ó Conghaile and wing forward Seosamh Ó Conaire both cleared to play after picking up knocks last time out in their victory over An Cheathrú Rua.

Corofin got the scoring underway in the first minute when full forward Joe Canney found Ronan Steede 35 yards out from goal who then fired over a great score. A minute later and the game was level – some good inter play from Fiach Ó Bearra and Dónal Ó Curraoin finding Peadar Óg Ó Gríofa who made no mistake with his left boot from 40 yards.

The defending champions then went back in front on six minutes after Micheal Lundy struck over a fine point from 30 yards after some good work from Ian Burke. Breathnach’s then were unlucky not to get the first goal of the game on with some great play from Ó Gríofa who found Ronán Mac Donnacha before he turned his man and fired a rasping shot towards goal only for keeper Thomas Healy to make a fine save to deflect the ball over the bar.

It was the Connemara men who took their first lead on 14 minutes with Sean Denvir finding Mac Donnacha on the right side before he turned inside and fired over a great point on his left foot from 25 yards. Three minutes later and the game was level again – Corofin’s Jason Leonard striking over a free from 20 yards after Steede was taken down.

On 19 minutes the men from north Galway went back in front when Leonard put over his second point of the afternoon from a free after he was fouled 30 yards from goal. Mícheál Breathnach’s were soon back level when Ó Gríofa got his second point from a free 25 yards out from the right after Eanna Ó Conghaile was tripped from behind.

Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.