For the first time since 1998 Corofin and Ballina Stephenites will come to blows in the Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final next Saturday in Pearse Stadium at 2.30pm.
Ballina had a facile win over Fulham Irish last Saturday in McHale park winning out 3-11 to 0-5. Despite missing Padraig O’Hora, Evan Regan and Dylan Thornton from the beginning and losing Ger Cafferkey in the first half, the Stephenites were never under any pressure and eased to their 15-point win.
In 1998 when Corofin were reigning All-Ireland champions the first game was played on a Saturday and ended up in a draw with Corofin 0-9 to 1-6 and the replay was inexplicably played just 24 hours later which Ballina won 0-11 to 0-9.
This time round however, Corofin may be favourites but have a much younger and less experienced side but also have home advantage with the game being played in Salthill.
With both teams coming into this game on a high after more than satisfying county title wins, they will be eager to push on and reach a Connacht final against either St. Brigids or Mohill on December 3.
With contrasting performances in each county final it is hard to know how this game will set up. Corofin played with their usual attacking intent against Maigh Cuilinn to great effect whereas Ballina and Breaffy played out a dull game that finished 0-6 to 0-4 and had just two scores from play between both sides. Corofin scored 1-11 against Maigh Cuilinn and got 1-7 of that from play.
Over the last 10 years Corofin have generally thrived in the Connacht championship winning five of the last ten but they have never convincingly beaten a Mayo side apart from their 9 point win over Ballintubber in 2014.
Amazingly, winter football seems to suit a side that wants to minimise handpassing and use their footballing skills wherever possible. Having conceded 3-33 in their group stage matches, Ballina Stephenites have drastically improved their defensive set up and in their four games since they have conceded just 0-19 in total. This is sure to be tested by Corofin’s forward unit as well as Patrick Egan at midfield and their marauding half back line.
How these sides will match up against each other is going to tell a lot about how the game will go. We will have to wait and see on the fitness of Cafferkey and O’Hora but Cafferkey would be expected to pick up Gary Sice while O’Hora is sure to be tasked with curtailing Dylan Wall’s influence after his county final performance.
At the other end of the field, Liam Silke is sure to pick up Conor McStay while Dylan McHugh looks likely to mark Frank Irwin. In midfield Patrick Egan will look to his running game to cause issues for the Ballina back line as it has for the defenders in each of his four championship matches to date.
Ballina tended to send Luke Feeney out to the middle of the park for the throw-ins and then leave him in his full forward position throughout the game. Corofin have tended to struggle with a high ball throughout this season and the 17 year old Feeney is sure to cause more trouble if he is given some good supply.
Corofin are expected to win this game but November football in Pearse Stadium is no gimme for anybody, even a side of Corofin’s calibre. The weather could have a huge impact on this game and a high scoring contest is unlikely, but by 4pm on Saturday we should know one of the teams into the final of the Shane McGettigan Cup. St. Brigid’s vs Mohill will then be played at 1.30pm on Sunday in Kiltoom.
Elsewhere Corofin added an U19 north board title to their senior county title last weekend. Michael Donnellans' team had a poor start and trailed 0-6 to 0-2 at the break but a black card for Claregalway changed the game in Corofin's favour and a driving run from wing back Vincent Gill led to a penalty for the victors which was converted by the impressive Cian Murphy.
Corofin never looked back from there and a fortuitous own goal in the final minute killed the game off with the score finishing 2-7 to 0-9. Ross Coen who was brilliant throughout at centre back, deservedly picked up the man of the match award and Corofin captain Eoin Brady lifted the cup to much excitement. Corofin will now play Killannin in the county final in two week's time.
