Corofin turn the tables on Mayo champions in reaching provincial decider
COROFIN manager, Kevin O’Brien, was as much relieved as elated after his side came through their Connacht semi-final clash against Castlebar Mitchels by the skin of their teeth.
O’Brien never expected it to be any different. Corofin knew full well that Mitchels were a serious side, who deep down were entertaining notions of atoning for their All-Ireland final collapse last March against Ballyboden St. Enda’s.
Castlebar had steamrolled their way through the Mayo championship, crowning their effort with a demolition of Knockmore in the final, so with the home venue of McHale Park thrown in for good measure, it was never going to be an easy task for Corofin.
“It’s just great to come out of here with a win and we really had to battle all the way to get there. Castlebar Mitchels are a quality side and they just kept coming back at us but I’m delighted with the composure we showed at the end.
“I always said that the Connacht club championship is probably the most competitive of all the provincial series – it really is very difficult to get out of Connacht. Which ever team eventually makes it out of Connacht, will be in with a real chance of going all the way,” said O’Brien.
While Corofin were two up at half-time, their manager knew full well that they would be facing a big surge in the second half from Castlebar, especially with the wind at the backs of the home side.
“We just found it very difficult to break them down during that third quarter and I suppose we were a bit unlucky not to score at least one goal, but we did well to score the pressure points near the end.
“We were tidy enough during the first half and we were a bit fortunate that Neil Douglas missed a few frees that he would normally get – Ian Burke delivered a few great scores when we needed them most, but it was close, mighty close in the end,” said O’Brien.
Standing out on the pitch at McHale Park after four o clock on Sunday, word had filtered through that Roscommon champions, St. Brigids, had – as expected – easily disposed of the challenge of Leitrim winners Aughawillan. At that stage, though, it was a tad too early for looking ahead to the Connacht final.
“We’ll enjoy today but from tomorrow morning we’ll be switching our attentions to the Connacht final. The challenge posed by St. Brigid’s will be every bit as formidable as Castlebar – they are a top-class team and we’ll need to produce another big display, if we hope to advance,” he said.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.