AIB All Ireland Club SFC Final
COROFIN (GALWAY) 2-16 DR CROKES (KERRY) 0-10
By Cian O'Connell at Croke Park
Corofin, the ice cool standard bearers in Galway and Connacht, never forget. What makes them so great is the fact that some sort of response will always be summoned. That is just the way it is for a proud Corofin outfit and their flag remains planted on the summit of the club game.
Every defeat is scrutinised - one loss hurt more deeply than many when Dr Crokes administered a sound All Ireland semi-final beating at the Gaelic Grounds two years ago.
It is why Corofin were accompanied by such a burning desire in GAA headquarters with Kevin O’Brien’s charges producing a daring and dynamic first half display.
When the teams departed at the break Corofin were armed with a commanding 2-7 to 0-6 advantage which was an accurate reflection of their utter superiority.
Primed for this contest Corofin’s organisation meant they adequately dealt with Crokes’ much vaunted forward line, while also negating the threat of a willing half back line.
While Dr Crokes were efficient initially Corofin were prompted by a fine eighth minute Jason Leonard goal following a sharp Kieran Molloy assist.
Tony Brosnan’s frees kept Crokes in the hunt and they only trailed by 1-3 to 0-5 in the 18th minute before Corofin seized control.
A gorgeous 21st minute move featuring Martin Farragher, Daithi Burke, and Ian Burke culminated with Gary Sice palming the ball to the back of the Crokes net.
Corofin’s class was evident and Crokes were under pressure, especially when captain John Payne was red carded in the 26th minute.
Eager to make their numerical superiority count Sice mined two points and Leonard added a tidy effort ensuring they led by seven at the turnaround.
When the action recommenced Corofin struck four of the first six scores with Leonard and Martin Farragher prominent edging the holders 2-11 to 0-8 in the ascendancy.
Crokes introduced Colm Cooper, but Corofin were dictating the agenda with impressive authority as the Farragher brothers thumped over splendid scores.
In the dying embers the decorated Corofin full back Kieran Fitzgerald was sent off for a second yellow card offence, but it didn’t matter.
Retaining the All Ireland title was a mission Corofin always wanted to achieve. Accomplishing that feat with such a mixture of substance and style merely added to the sense of satisfaction.
Scorers for Corofin: Gary Sice 1-5 (3fs), Jason Leonard 1-3, Martin Farragher 0-4, Daithi Burke 0-2, Kieran Molloy and Mike Farragher 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dr Crokes: Tony Brosnan 0-5 (4fs), Daithi Casey 0-3 (2fs), Micheal Burns and Colm Cooper (f) 0-1 each.
COROFIN: Bernard Power; Liam Silke, Kieran Fitzgerald, Cathal Silke; Dylan McHugh, Dylan Wall, Kieran Molloy; Daithi Burke, Ronan Steede; Micheal Lundy, Jason Leonard, Mike Farragher; Martin Farragher, Gary Sice, Ian Burke.
Subs: Colin Brady for L Silke (HT), Conor Cunningham for McHugh (48), Gavin Burke for Lundy (53), Ciaran McGrath for Wall (55), Dylan Canney for Sice (57), Ciaran Brady for D Burke (57).
DR CROKES: Shane Murphy; John Payne, Fionn Fitzgerald, Michael Moloney; Gavin White, David O’Leary, Shane Doolan; Johnny Buckley, Daithi Casey; Micheal Burns, Gavin O’Shea, Brian Looney; Tony Brosnan, Kieran O’Leary, David Shaw.
Subs: Michael Potts for Doolan (HT), Colm Cooper for O’Shea (37), Jordan Kiely for O’Leary (41), Alan O’Sullivan for D O’Leary (46), Eoin Brosnan for Casey (53), Jason Lyne for Looney (57).
REFEREE: Barry Cassidy (Derry).
