*Corofin goalkeeper Luke Neylon and midfielder Gearoid Kelly embrace at the final whistle. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
COROFIN’s bid to bounce back to the senior ranks of Clare football remain on track after goals from the Cahill brothers helped them overcome Clondegad to advance to the intermediate decider.
Corofin 2-12
Clondegad 0-16
Venue: Clarecastle
Indeed the Cahill brothers, Gearoid and Diarmuid both kicked 1-2 each as Corofin advanced to their second Clare IFC final in five years.
Ironically 2-12 was exactly what Corofin scored when they last lined out in the intermediate final, defeating Kildysart in 2021 to secure promotion to the senior ranks.
Adding more irony to the stakes is that Clarecastle was the setting again for a defining contest between the clubs. It was in the Maggieland that Corofin relegated Clondegad in 2023.
It’s a first defeat of the championship for Clondegad who had been controlling in all of their outings in this campaign. They missed chances on this occasion and made too many basic fumbling errors after putting themselves in positions to capitalise.
Only two points separated the teams, Clondegad were not far from a place in the county final but coughed up at the big moments. In particular they had excellent goal chances in the final quarter but didn’t hit the net. Corofin took their goals well and ultimately this was the difference.
On top of this, Corofin used the ball very well, they looked for space and kicked the ball into it. Where they got immense joy out of this was when pumping the ball into space for their lively full-forward line to get on the ball and do damage which they did, the trio of Jamie Malone and the Cahill brothers hit a combined 2-7 over the hour.
Malone for the second game in a row flew back from his teaching post in the Middle East. He was very lively at the beginning of the game, kicking his entire tally of three points within the first sixteen minutes of the contest. He linked up very well with the Cahill brothers throughout the contest and caused problems with his uncanny ability to power past opponents after securing possession.
Barry Toner’s free levelled matters as the teams headed in at half-time but Clondegad led for the majority of the opening half, only falling behind once at the beginning of the game. The teams were level on four occasions in the first half, demonstrating how little was between them.
Fiachra Kirby restored the lead for Clondegad on the restart but Corofin kicked back with a Cillian McGroary two pointer and Gearoid Cahill’s major on the thirty fourth minute. Seán O’Brien made a tremendous run to create the goal after Clondegad lost possession from their own kickout.
They fought back and kicked four points without reply to draw level for the fifth time in the game with forty six minutes on the clock.
Then Diarmuid Cahill kicked 1-1 on the bounce, the goal their last score of the game. Clondegad weren’t done yet, they added points via Cian Kirby and Podge McMahon, cutting the gap to two points and a chance for Daniel Kelly to kick his second two pointer of the day was off target and thus they will spend a third year in the intermediate ranks.
Most definitely Clondegad were stronger this year in their promotion push but on this occasion their turnovers were punished. The gap of two points is fair and accurate but it will be of little consolation to the Ballynacally club. Seán McAllister was very influential at times in the game, securing primary possession and powering forward. Similarly Morgan Garry was effective with his ability to win ball in the air while the Kirby twins, Cian and Fiachra were lively up front.
After suffering relegation from the senior hurling ranks last weekend, Corofin needed to issue a response and ensure they didn’t go back to the days of being an intermediate dual-club. It added a determination to their approach but key was their use of the ball and decision making in possession. Goalkeeper Luke Neylon made two big saves while the likes of Cilléin Mullins and John Rees made vital tackles and blocks. Others to stand out were Jamie Malone, Seán O’Brien, Damian O’Loughlin, Kevin Keane, the Cahill brothers and Cillian McGroary.
All photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
Scorers Corofin: G Cahill (1-2 2f), D Cahill (1-2 1f), C McGroary (0-4 2TPf), J Malone (0-3), C Doolin (0-1)
Scorers Clondegad: B Toner (0-4 3f), C Kirby (0-3), D Kelly (0-2 1TPf),
Corofin:
1: Luke Neylon
25: Marc O’Loughlin
3: Cilléin Mullins
4: John Rees
17: Caoimhin O’Donovan
6: Damian O’Loughlin
7: Kevin Keane
9: Gearoid Kelly
8: Cillian McGroary
10: Cian Doolin
11: Seán O’Brien
12: Evan Doolin
24: Diarmuid Cahill
15: Jamie Malone
14: Gearoid Cahill
Subs:
13: Josh Ryan for O’Donovan (41)
19: Colm Breen for C Doolin (49)
20: Seanán Kirby for E Doolin (49)
Clondgead:
1: Daniel Kelly
2: Niall Carrigg
6: Cillian Brennan
3: Brian Casey
10: Colm Meaney
7: Tadhg Ó hUallacháin
4: Dillon Killoughrey
8: Seán McAllister
10: Colm Meaney
20: Eoin Glynn
11: Cian Kirby
12: Morgan Garry
5: Daniel Costelloe
15: Barry Toner
14: Fiachra Kirby
Subs:
24: Colin McNeilis for Glynn (39)
17: Peter Casey for Carrigg (44)
21: Podge McMahon for Toner (56)
Referee: Robert Harte (St Senan’s Kilkee)
