Corofin who are many people’s favourites to lift the Frank Fox cup later this year will resume action this Saturday against Tuam Stars in Tuam Stadium at 7pm.
Corofin, managed this year by club chairman Jimmy Sice, have only had one game to-date - that being a facile win over Menlough.
There will be a lot of interest to see how his side are shaping up for the challenges that will lie ahead if they are to get back onto the winner’s podium.
Tuam had an easy win over a very young and inexperienced Killanin last Saturday and they will hope to build on that momentum this weekend.
Mickey Byrne has a high quality full-forward line of county minor David Shallow, former all-star Ja Fallon and the lively Rory Gaffney who helped himself to two good points against Killanin. Their other main scoring threat was wing-forward Darren Kelly who notched five points (4fs ).
John Boyce and Brendan Devaney man the midfield berths and they need to dominate that area if the Stars are to try to reach the quarter-finals.
Corofin are backboned by their five county players, team captain Kieran Fitzgerald, Damien Burke, Gary Sice, Michael Comer and Alan Burke. They also have a core of experience up front in the likes of Alan O’Donovan, David Hanley, and Kieran Comer who is showing well at full-forward.
The problem for Corofin is that while they are extremely strong in defence they have found it difficult in the championship over the last few seasons to break down massed defences and, as Milltown proved conclusively last year, unless they are totally focused on the job in hand they can be beaten.
That may happen later on in the county championship, however they are unlikely to fall at this particular fence.
The other game down for decision at Tuam is Caherlistrane against St Brendans at 5pm. The Queally men have trained very well under Peter Warren and they will look to their county men, Cormac Bane and Clive Monahan, to provide the impetus for a place in the next round.
The other rounds of the senior championship are down for decision in Pearse Stadium on Saturday and they see Claregalway take on An Cheathru Rua in their replay from last weekend at 5pm and Moycullen v Mountbellew/Moylough at 7pm.
Carraroe had the game sown up the last day and led by seven points at one stage and they should have learnt from that sobering experience. With Ciarán and Cillin De Paor and Niall O’ Briain providing a cutting edge inside, and Seán Ó Domhnaill doing well in the middle, they should seal the deal this weekend.
Hard to call the game between the M & Ms, however with Gareth Bradshaw and Mark Lydon dominating the centre-field and a wonderful never say die attitude it is hard to bet against the All-Ireland Intermediate champions continuing their roller-coaster ride.
