Silke inspires former kingpins as champions Maigh Cuilinn are dethroned

Maigh Cuilinn     1-9

By Pádraic Ó Ciardha at Pearse Stadium

THE footballers of Corofin are top of the pile in Galway once more as last Sunday’s win over Maigh Cuilinn saw them claim a first senior title in four years and their 22nd overall.

In a game where both sides often struggled to break down their opponents, Corofin were more incisive in the second half with Tony Gill’s 50th minute goal proving the crucial score. Gill’s goal followed points from the superb Liam Silke and the equally talismanic Gary Sice as Corofin built up a decisive lead heading into the final ten minutes and while Maigh Cuilinn mounted a late comeback attempt, it wasn’t enough for the reigning champions to retain their crown.

Three seasons without a county title hardly constitutes a drought but this victory will be a sweet one in the parishes of Corofin and Belclare. Rebuilding still seemed to be the name of the game at the beginning of the year as Corofin sought to replace some of the heroes who were central to their huge success in the previous decade.

Despite coming into the campaign a little under the radar, however, there’s no doubt that they end it as the top dogs as Kevin Johnson’s side followed up league success by claiming Frank Fox and remain unbeaten in 2023.

Corofin were as high as 9/4 to win at the weekend as they took on a Maigh Cuilinn team seeking a third county title in four years. but anyone who had seen the two sides play this year could see value in that price. Despite coming into Sunday’s decider with a perfect 7-0 record in the championship, Maigh Cuilinn, for all their undoubted talent, had yet to hit top gear and while they might have hoped a big performance might come in the final, it never did.

The loss of Seán Kelly, the heart of so much of what Maigh Cuilinn have achieved in recent years, was undoubtedly a big factor. An injury picked up before the final meant the Galway captain didn’t even tog on Sunday and his absence was keenly felt, especially in the second half. Kelly is so often the catalyst for his side and while others stepped up at various stages, he surely would have given them a much-needed added dimension.

It’s not like Corofin were without losses either, though. The influential Jason Leonard, Dylan Canney and Ian Burke were all on their absentee list at the weekend and when you throw in Daithí Burke, that’s a heap of talent to be without for a county final.

Pictured: Corofin's Gavin Burke breaking out of defence against Maigh Cuilinn's Michael Moughan during Sunday's County Senior Football Final at Pearse Stadium.  Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.