Sports
Lundy and Farragher goals prove decisive in replay
COROFIN 2-9
TUAM STARS 0-11
SMALL things in tight contests can make a huge difference and on Sunday, Corofin – without ever coming close to replicating their blitzkrieg form of last season – just had that extra measure of composure to see them through this entertaining quarter-final replay.
The losers will be blue in the face from hearing that they had their chance in the drawn encounter, when Corofin were fortunate enough to snatch a late leveller, but alas that was how things worked out for the Stars at Tuam Stadium on Sunday last.
Two first half goal strikes from Micheál Lundy and Martin Farragher proved to be the key scores in this match, but Tuam will rue the missing of a second half penalty and at least three clear-cut point opportunities in periods when Corofin had lulled into periods of semi-hibernation.
Champions though by their very nature – even on ‘slow days’ – tend to be hard to beat and Corofin were that little bit more composed on the ball throughout the field although they will be the first to admit that they were somewhat flattered by their four point winning margin.
There were times – most noticeably after their goal strikes – when Corofin had the look of a side that were set to tear apart the opposition but they found the Tuam resistance quite difficult to break down from start to finish.
Possession wise, the losers at least achieved parity – and maybe a bit with it – but crucially when the chances came their way in the second half, they were spurned, and Corofin were allowed to slither off the ropes and back into the centre of the ring safety zone.
Five minutes into the second half, as Corofin were slipping into one of their comfort zones when leading by 2-5 to 0-7, following two early second half points from Jason Leonard and Martin Farragher, the first window of opportunity opened up for Tuam.
A Jamie Murphy run into the heart of the Corofin square ended up with the centre forward being fouled (probably a tight enough call) and referee Frank Kinneen had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.
Cormac McWalter, an interval sub for Conor Rhatigan, was entrusted with the penalty taking duties and although his shot was powerfully driven it was at hands height for Thomas Healy in the Corofin goal, who saved superbly to turn the ball over the bar.
Tuam continued to win plenty of ball through the middle chunk of the second half but the only tangible reward they enjoyed for a lot of hard graft was a well taken point from Gavan Connell after a sniping solo run.
Connell though missed the target from two good positions while Gary O’Donnell and Jamie Murphy had efforts that also dropped wide of the posts – after a dodgy period of the game for Corofin, they still led by 2-6 to 0-9. Tuam just hadn’t turned the screw.
Full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune
Galway 3-18
Cork 1-10
NEW setting; new opposition; new challenge. It made no difference to the Galway minor hurlers as they chalked up a remarkable sixth consecutive double digits championship victory at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
The final scoreline in Thurles may have been a little harsh on Cork, but there was no doubting Galway’s overall superiority in setting up only a second-ever All-Ireland showdown against Clare at the same venue on Sunday week.
Having claimed an historic Leinster title the previous weekend, Galway took a while to get going against the Rebels and also endured their first period in a match in which they were heavily outscored, but still the boys in maroon roll on.
Beating a decent Cork outfit by 14 points sums up how formidable Galway are. No team has managed to lay a glove on them so far, and though Clare might ask them questions other challengers haven’t, they are going to have to find significant improvement on their semi-final win over 14-man Kilkenny to pull off a final upset.
Galway just aren’t winning their matches; they are overpowering the teams which have stood in their way. Their level of consistency is admirable for young players starting off on the inter-county journey, while the team’s temperament appears to be bombproof, no matter what is thrown at them.
Having romped through Leinster, Galway should have been a bit rattled by being only level (0-4 each) after 20 minutes and being a little fortunate not to have been behind; or when Cork stormed out of the blocks at the start of the second half by hitting 1-4 to just a solitary point in reply, but there was never any trace of panic in their ranks.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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GALWAY United need to guard against any kind of complacency when they make the short hop down the M18 this Friday to take on Treaty United at the Markets Field (7.45pm).
The game is a meeting of the two form teams in the division, and as in previous meetings between the sides, will have an additional edge given the number of former United players in the home side’s ranks, and the pair of Limerick lads playing for United.
There might have been just the eight meetings between the sides since Treaty became the latest iteration to represent Limerick in the League of Ireland in 2021, and while United have yet to lose to the men in the candy-cane strips, there has never been more than a goal in four of their eight wins.
The most recent of those was back in February, when Rob Slevin scored the only goal of the game in Eamonn Deacy Park after a tough battle against a side who made a slow start to the season, before finally finding their groove in the past month.
Having taken just three points from their first six games before finally getting a win against Longford Town, they reverted to type with just one point from their next three games, but are now on a run of four wins on the spin, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one.
Their most recent win was a 3-0 victory away to Longford Town last Saturday, and they could have won by double that against the only side to have beaten United this season. That in itself is a warning.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
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The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Soccer Wrap with Mike Rafferty
While the Salthill Devon men’s team might have lost their grip on the Connacht Junior Cup that they held for two seasons, the club’s women’s side have picked up the mantle and on Sunday last in Headford were crowned provincial champions with a 4-3 win over Manulla.
Following midweek wins for Maree/Oranmore and Knocknacarra, the stage is now almost set for the semi-finals of the Michael Byrne Cup with Salthill Devon meeting St Bernard’s on Sunday in an outstanding quarter-final, with the winners advancing to a semi-final against Maree/Oranmore, while Colga will face Knocknacarra in the other last four contest.
Just one league issue remains to be decided, with the Championship runners-up position up for grabs, as Dynamo Blues have to win their two remaining games in order to overtake Colemanstown United who have finished their programme.
WOMEN’S CONNACHT CUP FINAL
Salthill Devon 4
Manulla 3
Ellerose O’Flaherty scored twice as Salthill Devon were crowned provincial champions with a win over a Mayo side who were losing in the final for the second year in succession.
Backboned by a number of players who previously had League of Ireland experience with Galway WFC, Devon suffered an early set back when Jess Nolan put Manulla ahead, before O’Flaherty levelled matters with a cracking finish on 20 minutes, which was quickly followed by a long-range free-kick from Aoife Walsh.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
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Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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