Corofin got their county championship defence off to a winning start last Saturday evening when they defeated Tuam on a score-line of 0-14 to 1-6 at Tuam Stadium.
The stars were expected to bring a high level of intensity and endeavour to the tie, but unfortunately they did not produce the performance that Kevin Reidy and Jimmy O’Dea were looking for, and they will face Killanin in the qualifiers.
Instead it was their near neighbours who always looked in control and had good performances from Daithí Burke, Kieran McGrath, Greg Higgins, Kieran Fitzgerald and the very impressive and lively Joe Canney in the full-forward line.
Tuam were fortunate to get a soft goal early on from Jamie Murphy whose shot from distance deceived David Morris in the Corofin goal. However, despite points from Shane Curtin, Shane Gaffney and Aonghus Tierney, Tuam were not able to build any real momentum and the county champions took control in the second half with points from Michael Lundy, Alan O’Donovan and an injury time score from Colm O’Donovan to run out five point victors.
In the other game at Tuam Stadium on Saturday, county star Padraic Joyce shot 1-5 to power Killererin to a two point win over Caherlistrane.
His brother and county minor manager Tommie Joyce was in good form too at midfield and he sprayed some high quality passes to help set up his side’s 1-9 to 1-7 victory. County panellist and a man who is knocking hard for a starting spot with Alan Mulholland, Tomás Fahy, was also on the score sheet alongside Shane Hughes and Nicky Joyce who came on as a sub.
Eric Monahan worked hard for Caherlistrane and he was fouled for a penalty that he duly converted. Despite the defeat, Stephen Faulkner will feel his side can bounce back in the qualifiers against Claregalway.
Elsewhere on Saturday evening county star Paul Conroy shot 0-4 from midfield as St James had a very easy win against a poor Killanin outfit. The city side won by 13 points and advanced on a score-line of 2-14 to 0-7. Another plus for the “Jimmies” was that Eoghan Concannon made his comeback from injury and shot 0-2 from corner forward. Others that impressed for new team manager David Waldron were young Eoghan O’ Regan (0-4, 1f ), Alan O’ Donnell (1-2 ) and Tommy Walsh.
