Odds favour Corofin to retain title

IT’S something akin to this year’s All-Ireland finals where the tried and trusted thoroughbred is challenged by the pretender without proven form, but in this regard the footballers of Mountbellew-Moylough will be hoping to change the outcome of the final chapter when they take on county champions Corofin in an intriguing Galway senior decider at Tuam Stadium on Sunday (4pm).This is the first county final back in what people regard as the spiritual home of Galway football since 2001, and while the old ground could do with a spare five million euro or so to build a new stand, the place still does have a wonderful atmosphere on county final day.Geographically it makes perfect sense to play a football final between two North Galway teams in Tuam, and one of the biggest crowds for many years is expected for a contest with a myriad of sub-plots ready to unfold – the big question is whether Mountbellew can 'go that final mile’ in their quest to end a 23 year gap without a senior title.Corofin, without any shadow of doubt, represent Mountbellew- Moylough’s biggest challenge in this year’s championship – the holders have that near perfect mix of youth, experience, and a deep rooted confidence which gives them the belief, that even on a middling day, they can still do enough to eke out a victory.The further Corofin go on in the championship the more difficult they are to displace. Micheál Breathnach, caused quite a stir when pulling off a memorable 1-13 to 0-10 win over the county champions in the 'disposable round’, but Corofin just dusted themselves down, strolled into the second chance saloon, and since then had a fair bit to spare over Carraroe, Killererin and Salthill.Corofin just don’t do panic. Rarely if ever will you see them charging from the dressing room when the doors open . . . they just walk onto the pitch. Seldom too, if...