Corofin face a rough ride in Ruislip

Corofin head to Ruislip this Sunday to take on Tir Chonaill Gaels with very little to gain and everything to lose.

They are overwhelming favourites to advance to take on Kilmacud Crokes on Saturday February 21 in Mullingar in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Indeed some bookies are offering 10/1 on a Tir Chonaill Gaels victory with Corofin at outrageous odds of 20/1 on.

This is a real David v Goliath contest, but as we know from the Bible, a slingshot can do massive damage if you are not expecting your opposition to be carrying one.

For anyone from Corofin to be overly dismissive of the challenge they face would be asinine.

Tir Chonaill have won three of the last four London Championships and gave Crossmaglen a stiff examination last year, only going down by four points to one of the greatest club teams of all time.

They have home advantage and have enjoyed also a positive bonding experience when recently featuring in the RTE Christmas special of Celebrity Bainisteoir where, under the tutorship of comedian Patrick Kielty, they travelled to Westmeath and defeated a Maryland side guided by Marty Whelan. That must have been great craic for their panel of players and will have given them a real focus for this game.

Eoin O' Donnellan, who guided Salthill to their superb All-Ireland success in 2006, knows the dangers that lie ahead for Jimmy Sice and his band of brothers.

"This is a very difficult and dangerous assignment for Corofin. They are heading out of their home domain and the whole occasion can take on a kind of champions league feel for some players. The focus in the camp has to be just right, and while there is a surreal atmosphere to the whole game, the Corofin lads will have to be very professional in their approach and outlook.”

It took Salthill all their time to jump the Ruislip fence three years ago and O' Donnellan, who is now in charge of St Brigid's in Roscommon for the coming season, urges caution on the Galway champions’ behalf.

"Tir Chonaill will really fancy their chances and why wouldn't they? They are at home, they have worked had on their game, and they have some fine players. They will feel that if they can nullify the Corofin forwards and keep it to a low scoring game, they could edge them out in a tight finish.

“It is a massive win/win situation for them and it is a really perilous game from Corofin's perspective.”

Ger Keane, who is a selector with Corofin, agrees.

"We are not taking anything for granted. We are not underestimating the challenge that we face. Tir Chonaill have worked really hard over Christmas and have played some good challenges so they will be well up for the game. We have to be at our absolute best if we are to get into the last four in the competition."

Corofin's task is made much more difficult by the absence of one of their top defenders this weekend. Michael Comer is on holidays in Egypt for a few weeks and he is a massive loss to the yellow and green rearguard.

Assuming Corofin are professional, focused, and really attack the game from the outset, they should advance.

Nevertheless, chancing a few euro at 14/1 the draw is not the craziest thing that you could do this Saturday afternoon.

*Throw in for the game is at 2pm and the contest is being broadcast live on Galway Bay FM in association with Aer Arann. Commentary will be provided by Ollie Turner, with yours truly in the side-saddle.

All Ireland Club Football Outright:

11/10 Crossmaglen Rangers

15/8 Kilmacud Crokes

4/1 Corofin

10/1 Dromcollogher-Broadford

200/1 Tir Chonaill Gaels

 

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