This year's Galway Senior Football Championship semi-finals has again thrown up the familiar pairing of Corofin and Mountbellew-Moylough.
Following last weekend's action, Corofin prevailed over Killannin, while title holders Moycullen lost to Mountbellew Moylough, ensuring this year's decider is set to be a colossal battle between these two regular protagonists.
Killannin, participating in their first county senior semi-final since 2001, can have no complaints with their defeat by 1-19 to 0-10. They were totally outclassed by a Corofin side that was much sharper and executed the basic skills in a far more accomplished manner than their counterparts in what were tricky conditions at times.
The beginning of the contest was nip and tuck with Enda Kelly and Joseph O’Flaherty on form for Killannin. But in the second quarter Corofin took total control, penning Killannin into their own half and building an unassailable half-time lead, 1-12 to 0-05. Martin Farragher, Jason Leonard and Dylan Canney were the tormentors in chief with the latter raising a green flag.
The second half was much of a formality as Corofin rolled out their bench, giving game time to the returning Ian Burke, who marked his first appearance of this championship with a trademark jink followed by a left footed score.
Daithi Burke also made his first start of the campaign for Kevin O’Brien’s side which now seems to be well primed for the upcoming challenge.
Although outclassed on the day, Killannin should be pleased with their championship, and looking to make further strides next season.
The second semi-final was the most hotly anticipated game to date this year - a rematch of last year’s county final where Moycullen broke Mountbellew-Moylough hearts to win the 2020 championship.
The script was flipped totally this year as a far superior Mountbellew-Moylough showed their intentions to get their hands on the Frank Fox Cup.
Val Daly’s side hit the back of the net with the first attack and never looked back. When the giant of a man that is Patrick Kelly plucked a skyscraper of a ball out of the clouds before maintaining his composure to hit the back of the net early on, it set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Eoin Finnerty was typically at the heart of most attacks for Mountbellew-Moylough and kicked the score of the game from far out on the left wing midway through the opening half.
Moycullen never really got their running game going in the first half, but it was not for a lack of trying, as they did their best to break down a resolute defence.
Mountbellew-Moylough led 2-07 to 0-07 at half-time with the second goal coming from the penalty spot, struck again by Patrick Kelly.
Moycullen huffed and puffed in the second half, but in truth, they never really looked like they could threaten Mountbellew-Moylough’s lead.
John Daly rounded off a wonderful individual performance by grabbing a goal with five minutes remaining to put the icing on the cake for Mountbellew-Moylough.
Intermediate finalists
Dunmore MacHales and Leitir Móir will do battle in this year’s intermediate final following their respective wins at the weekend.
A goal-hungry Dunmore overcame surprise finalists St Brendan’s 3-07 to 0-09 with Brendan Carr hitting a brace and Shane McGrath grabbing a goal from the penalty spot.
Naomh Anna Leitir Móir overcame many people’s favourites to go up to senior against Oileáin Árainn. That encounter ended on a scoreline of 4-07 to 0-14.
