Lundy and Farragher goals prove decisive in replay

TUAM STARS 0-11

SMALL things in tight contests can make a huge difference and on Sunday, Corofin – without ever coming close to replicating their blitzkrieg form of last season – just had that extra measure of composure to see them through this entertaining quarter-final replay.

The losers will be blue in the face from hearing that they had their chance in the drawn encounter, when Corofin were fortunate enough to snatch a late leveller, but alas that was how things worked out for the Stars at Tuam Stadium on Sunday last.

Two first half goal strikes from Micheál Lundy and Martin Farragher proved to be the key scores in this match, but Tuam will rue the missing of a second half penalty and at least three clear-cut point opportunities in periods when Corofin had lulled into periods of semi-hibernation.

Champions though by their very nature – even on ‘slow days’ – tend to be hard to beat and Corofin were that little bit more composed on the ball throughout the field although they will be the first to admit that they were somewhat flattered by their four point winning margin.

There were times – most noticeably after their goal strikes – when Corofin had the look of a side that were set to tear apart the opposition but they found the Tuam resistance quite difficult to break down from start to finish.

Possession wise, the losers at least achieved parity – and maybe a bit with it – but crucially when the chances came their way in the second half, they were spurned, and Corofin were allowed to slither off the ropes and back into the centre of the ring safety zone.

Five minutes into the second half, as Corofin were slipping into one of their comfort zones when leading by 2-5 to 0-7, following two early second half points from Jason Leonard and Martin Farragher, the first window of opportunity opened up for Tuam.

A Jamie Murphy run into the heart of the Corofin square ended up with the centre forward being fouled (probably a tight enough call) and referee Frank Kinneen had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.

Cormac McWalter, an interval sub for Conor Rhatigan, was entrusted with the penalty taking duties and although his shot was powerfully driven it was at hands height for Thomas Healy in the Corofin goal, who saved superbly to turn the ball over the bar.

Tuam continued to win plenty of ball through the middle chunk of the second half but the only tangible reward they enjoyed for a lot of hard graft was a well taken point from Gavan Connell after a sniping solo run.

Connell though missed the target from two good positions while Gary O’Donnell and Jamie Murphy had efforts that also dropped wide of the posts – after a dodgy period of the game for Corofin, they still led by 2-6 to 0-9. Tuam just hadn’t turned the screw.

Full report in this week's Connacht Tribune