Champs Corofin make short work of Cortoon rivals

Corofin 2-9 Cortoon Shamrocks 0-3

Noel Carney at Tuam Stadium

COUNTY and Connacht champions Corofin sounded an ominous warning to all rivals in this year’s campaign when their much under-strength side started with a resounding, indeed awesome win over Cortoon Shamrocks in the opening round of the senior football championship in the final game of last Saturday’s triple header at Tuam Stadium.

Even though they were forced to line out without key men such as Michael Comer, Aidan Donnellan, David Hanly, Trevor Burke, Joe Canney, Kieran McGrath, Tony Goggins and Greg Higgins from last year’s squad, they completely overwhelmed an unfortunate Cortoon side that never got going and as a consequence suffered a really demoralising defeat.

It will be a real test of Cortoon’s character and of manager Frank Doherty’s motivational power when they try to regroup for another tilt at regaining pride and making progress through the losers group. For Corofin, in complete contrast, it will be a case of reining in expectations and keeping feet firmly on the ground.

Whether the winners were really that good or the Shamrocks that awful will not be known until both are seen in action again. The truth probably lies somewhere in between. Certainly, this was Cortoon’s worst championship display in years but they will have another chance put this nightmare behind them – and, remember, they are current League Division One title-holders.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.