St Brigid’s Connacht Championship adventure ended with a comprehensive provincial final defeat, 2-13 to 0-4, against a classy Corofin outfit at Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday (November 27 ).
The Roscommon champions were comprehensively defeated by Corofin, who seized control early on. Michael Farragher’s opening period goal ensured Corofin led at the break by 1-8 to 0-3 and it was a damage limitation exercise for Brigid’s after the restart.
Corofin manager Kevin O’Brien admitted the dashing start was hugely important. “The first 20 minutes we did well and Mike Farragher’s goal was crucial and it was a reflection of our dominance. So I’m delighted. The Castlebar game stood to us. We were at a different level. A lot of guys picked up knocks in that game and hadn’t trained, but I was happy that our preparation was good and we started off well.”
With Corofin so effective early on, Brigid’s were always in trouble according to boss Frankie Dolan. “We were well and truly beaten out the gate, it was probably over at half time,” he remarked.
“We were flat going out there and the mistakes killed us, giving away ball after ball after ball, particularly in the first half, and Corofin punished us. And our shooting was terrible. We missed chance after chance and against the likes of Corofin, if that happens you are going nowhere.
A reflective Dolan added: “Jason Leonard added a second goal for Corofin, who were worthy winners, setting up an All-Ireland semi-final clash against Dr Crokes. We knew all about them and how good they were.”
“We gave them too much space, we stood off them, they could do what they wanted. They bossed us and bullied us around the field which is disappointing.
“They are very good, very physical and they move the ball well, but I keep going back to it: if you let good players play and give them space they can do what they want.
“And if they gave us that space we’d look good, so it is disappointing. But it is going to take a right good team to beat Corofin this year. They are playing the Munster champions so I wish them well and I hope they go on for Connacht and win the All-Ireland.”
