After two very different semi-final matches, we now know that the county final this year will be a repeat of the 2023 final.
Senior Championship
Corofin eased to a nine-point win against a Salthill/Knocknacarra side devoid of ideas once Rob Finnerty and Tomo Culhane were contained and Maigh Cuilinn came out the right side of a tough battle with Tuam Stars thanks to Seán Kelly’s goal and some poor shooting from Tuam Stars.
Corofin 1-11 Salthill/Knocknacarra 0-5
Corofin raced into a five point lead inside the opening quarter with two points from Gary Sice and one each from Dylan Canney, Jack McCabe and Dylan Wall. Finian Hanley’s side finally got onto the scoreboard thanks to a 18th minute free from Finnerty, but that proved to be their only score of the half. A third point from Sice finished off the scoring for the half to give his side a five point lead at the break of 0-6 to 0-1.
Corofin came out and controlled the second-half again, never allowing Salthill/Knocknacarra to get within five points of them. Driving runs from Conor Cunningham and Liam Silke were causing serious problems. Mike Farragher was spraying passes and running the game for Corofin. Tomo Culhane finally got his side's first score from play in the 44th minute but that was soon cancelled out.
Salthill/Knocknacarra's struggles were compounded by a black card for Mark Mannion less than 60 seconds after coming on.
With Corofin six points up going into injury time, Silke made a dart forward and was fouled for a penalty that Dylan Canney expertly dispatched to finish the game off and give Corofin a deserved nine-point win.
Maigh Cuilinn 1-10 Tuam Stars 0-10
The second game of the day was much tighter with both sides going score for score for the 60 minutes.
Maigh Cuilinn got the first set of scores on the board, leading 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes. Three points from the inspired Brian Mannion put the Stars two points in front before two late Dessie Conneely scores levelled it up at 0-6 a piece at the break.
The second-half picked up where the first left off with the sides going tit-for-tat before Neil Mulcahy broke through in the 44th minute to score the decisive goal.
Tuam Stars pushed on but kicked five wides in succession from the 54th minute on. With Niall Walsh absent from the Maigh Cuilinn team and Conneely after coming off, the free taking responsibility was left to Paul Kelly. Kelly scored one and missed one but also got the final score of the game in the 60th minute.
Try as they might, Tuam just were not able to get the goal they needed to bring the game to extra time. Maigh Cuilinn were without Niall Walsh through injury and neither Dessie Conneely, James McLaughlin or Peter Cooke looked overly comfortable when leaving the field of play. That is sure to cause some worry for manager Cathal Clancy before the final on October 27.
Monivea/Abbey 0-9 Caherlistrane 0-5
Monivea/Abbey were deserving victors against Caherlistrane in their 0-9 to 0-5 win in the relegation final. Caherlistrane yet again struggled in front of goal. Missed chances and poor shot selection has been an issue for Neil McHugh’s side all year and has played a huge part in their drop to intermediate football for 2025.
Intermediate Championship
In intermediate football St. Michael’s kept up their attempts to return to senior at the first time of asking with a resounding 18-point win over St. Gabriels.
Glenamaddy almost threw away a commanding lead against Clifden but ended up holding on for a draw. With the sides still unable to be separated after extra-time it went to penalties, with Glenamaddy winning 5-3.
Caltra were impressive in their 3-9 to 2-7 win against a Kilconly side that had lost the previous two county finals. Full-forward Shaun Keane finished the game with 2-1 to his name and an assist for his side's third goal. Alan Naughton continued his impressive form in the intermediate championship with a personal tally of 0-5.
In the final quarter-final, Oranmore/Maree got over their quarter-final hoodoo when easing to a 10 point win over St. Brendan’s.
Williamstown fell to Killkerrin/Clonberne in the intermediate relegation final, losing by nine points in the end.
Intermediate Championship Results:
Quarter-Finals:
St. Michael’s 3-14 St. Gabriel’s 0-5
Caltra 3-9 Kilconly 2-7
Oranmore-Maree 1-17 St. Brendan’s 1-7
Glenamaddy 0-18 Clifden 1-15 (AET ) Glenamaddy win 5-3 on penalties
Relegation Final:
Kilkerrin/Clonberne 2-10 Williamstown 0-7
