McCabe’s soft goal proves a body blow for brave Milltown

Milltown 2-12

By Gerard Mulreaney at Tuam Stadium

IN an enthralling encounter at a sun-drenched Tuam Stadium on Sunday, Corofin booked a place in the Senior Football Championship Final after a four points victory over a determined Milltown side looking to end a 42-year wait for their last county title.

Corofin, who last won the Frank Fox cup in 2019 when they completed a seven-in-a-row, will now face reigning champions Moycullen in the county final in two weeks’ time, following their battling 0-11 to 0-9 victory over Mountbellew-Moylough on Saturday. The last time the sides met in the final was 46 years ago when Corofin emerged victorious by 1-9 to 0-3.

Three first half goals, including two from Jack McCabe, looked to have put Corofin on the road to victory. However, a spirited fightback byMilltown brought them within two points with just minutes remaining, before Corofin eventually ran out four-point winners. The ageless Gary Sice scored six points for Corofin, while Mark Hehir scored a goal and five points for Milltown.

Blending youth with experienced has boded well for Corofin this year, with Brian Cogger, Patrick Egan, and McCabe stepping up from the underage ranks to join the likes of former All-Ireland club winners, Micheál Lundy, Liam and Cathal Silke, Martin Farragher, Gary Sice and Kieran Molloy, along with numerous others.

Milltown surprised many observers by reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 2014. They finished their group campaign with wins over Naomh Anna Leitir Móir, An Spidéal, and Annaghdown, losing to St James’ and Moycullen, before going on to beat a fancied Claregalway side by two points in the quarter-finals.

A large crowd turned up to watch as Sice opened the scoring for Corofin in the second minute with a free from 45 metres out, before Liam Costello levelled three minutes later with an excellent score.

Pictured: Corofin's Ronan Steede tries to shake off the attentions of Milltown's Pádraic Godwin at Tuam Stadium.