Corofin (Galway) 2-10

Ballintubber (Mayo) 1-9

All Star Ian Burke scored a goal within a minute of his introduction as Corofin came from behind to claim their ninth Connacht club SFC title at Ballintubber's expense in Elvery's MacHale Park.

Trailing by 1-2 to 1-5 at the interval, the reigning All-Ireland champions upped the ante after the restart to retain their provincial title and progress to the All-Ireland series in the New Year. Underdogs Ballintubber settled quickest with points from Cillian O'Connor and Alan Dillon before Colin Brady opened Corofin's account.

Further scores from O'Connor and Jason Gibbons had the Mayo champions three up before their Galway counterparts took the lead for the first time when Martin Farragher's point was followed by a 25th minute goal from captain Micheal Lundy after Liam Silke had supplied the final pass.

But Ballintubber responded in impressive fashion. Alan Plunkett slotted over the equaliser and Jamsie Finnerty fired to the net moments later after Diarmuid O'Connor and Ciaran Gavin had been involved in the build-up.

Corofin were level within six minutes of the restart thanks to points from Gary Sice (free), Jason Leonard and Michael Farragher before regaining the lead when Sice set up Burke for a decisive goal with his first touch.

Two Cillian O'Connor frees had the margin down to the minimum before the Galway kingpins replied with scores from Burke and Sice (free) to lead by 2-7 to 1-7 with 15 minutes to go.

They doubled their advantage through points from Kieran Molloy, Sice and Liam Silke before efforts from Alan Dillon and Michael Plunkett for Ballintubber left four points in it at the finish.

Corofin - B Power; C Silke, K Fitzgerald, L Silke (0-1); K Molloy (0-1), D Burke, D Wall; Ciaran Brady, R Steede; G Sice (0-3f), Michael Farragher (0-1), J Leonard (0-1); Martin Farragher (0-1), Colin Brady (0-1), M Lundy (1-0). Subs: D Silke for Ciaran Brady, I Burke (1-1) for D Silke, D McHugh for C Silke, C Cunningham for D Wall, D Canney for Colin Brady.

Ballintubber - B Walsh; G Loftus, C Hallinan, B Murphy; D Coleman, M Plunkett (0-1), R O’Connor; J Gibbons (0-1), D O’Connor; C Gavin, A Dillon (0-2), A Plunkett (0-1); B Walsh, C O’Connor (0-4, 2f), J Finnerty (1-0). Subs: M Kelly for R O’Connor, P O’Connor for C Gavin, J Geraghty for A Plunkett,

Referee - P Neilan.

Tweet

Most Read Stories