Just when people were beginning to believe that Corofin’s position at the head of the Galway football table was under threat they ruthlessly dismiss such a notion by capturing the double in sunny Salthill yesterday. This wasn’t pretty but that didn’t bother the victors. “I don’t think the quality was great but we kept plodding along. Everyone says we’re not a hard team but we proved today we can play it anyway”, was Gary Sice’s initial reaction.
Kieran Fitzgerald’s poignant remembrance of Mairead Meehan in his acceptance speech spoke volumes of the captain’s character and dignity. He too was aware that the quality was not as expected. “Cortoon were in their first county final and we didn’t want them to settle but all credit to them, they went ahead 3-1. It wasn’t the way we planned but we ground it out. It was a performance below par and won’t do if we want to progress in the Connacht championship.” Fitzgerald praised the entire team for upping their performance in the second half but singled out two people for special mention.
“Fr Ollie Hughes came in at half time and he gave an inspirational speech. He’s a very knowledgable man in football and we didn’t need anyone to say any more. Mikey Comer put in an enormous performance also. He had enough to do to mind Derek Savage but to kick a point as well was unbelievable.”
Comer’s huge point symbolised the breaking of Cortoon’s blanket defence but he dismissed such notions, instead paying special tribute to his individual opponent and friend. “Savo has put in so much effort for Galway and he was the main man for Cortoon all year, but as soon as we shook hands we put our heads down and there were no words at all. He had a job to do and I had a job to do and that’s what football is all about, but I’m sure we’ll be friends again after it. We’re delighted, we knew Cortoon were going to give us the game of their lives so we knew we had to match them. It was a messy first half from a spectator’s point of view but we weren’t leaving without the cup.
Joe Canney marked his first senior county final with two vital points and was ecstatic at the full time whistle. With the strength in depth of this panel, he has had to wait his turn and believes that is what makes them such a force. “We have a brilliant bench and any amount of players could come in. The level of competition is unbelievable.” He continued by praising the gallant losers. “They didn’t get to the final without being a good side, so we knew it was going to be tough from the outset.”
The mastermind behind the Brownsgrove/Lavally outfit’s first final appearance has been Barry Downey, who was crestfallen outside his side’s dressing room. “I’m stuck for words for once and that’s unusual for a Dub, but I am.” However, he was happy with the start his inexperienced side made on a showpiece day.
“We would have been happy going in three or four down to be honest. The main thing for us was to get through that first 20 minutes. Physically we were fine (at half time ) even though the lads took a few hits. The first 10 minutes of the second half we were there or there abouts but the last 20 their experience came in. That’s the difference. We just couldn’t get past the half forward line and that’s how good they are. People talk about the three forwards we have - we have six very good forwards - but their back six were phenomenal.
So Corofin are on the march again and they will hope to go further than in 2006 when they were prematurely halted. Jimmy Sice in his first year as manager was adamant the celebrations will be cut short this week, while illustrating the hard job he has in picking 15. “We go back Wednesday night, the competition for places was unbelievable.”
