Cahill on-song as Corofin advance to Munster semi-final

*Brothers in arms, Gearoid and Diarmuid Cahill celebrate Corofin’s win. Photograph: Burren Eye Photography

Corofin with a powerhouse performance in the fourth quarter progress to a Munster club semi final.

Corofin 1-13
Kildimo-Pallaskenry (Limerick) 1-06
Venue: Corofin

By Derek Dormer

This hugely engaging contest had it all, fierce tackles, terrific scores, black cards, red cards and a slice of controversy to keep patrons entertained throughout the sixty minutes in North Clare.

Corofin started brightly and were dominant throughout the field winning primary possession at ease but wayward shooting was a concern with three bad wides inside the first five minutes.

The game’s opening score came in the tenth minute courtesy of a Peter Nash free. Nash would then score a fantastic goal picking up possession twenty yards out unleashing an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner.

Two points from the inspirational man of the match Diarmuid Cahill kept Corofin in touch and at the first water break they trailed by two.

The second quarter saw two fantastic pieces of goalkeeping. Firstly Jamie Malone bore down on goal after being released by Diarmuid Cahill only to see James Hickey produce a remarkable point blank save.

Not to be outdone, Luke Neylon moments later pulled off a fantastic save from dangerman Peter Nash diving low to his right hand side getting a fingertip onto what seemed a certain goal.

Then came the game’s controversial moment. Diarmuid Cahill broke in on the touchline, facing an acute angle he opted to fist a point. This fisted effort seemed to be dropping short and into the net when corner back Brian Howard inexplicably tried to prevent it going in and was subsequently deemed to have carried the ball over the line. Referee James Bermingham consulted with his umpires and a green flag was raised.

Had Howard not touched the ball the goal would not have counted and a free out would have been the outcome. The referee then blew the half-time whistle and the Limerick side led 1-4 1-3.

Corofin started the third quarter with a numerical advantage as a result of James Pomeroy’s black card but they could not make this count as the sides traded early scores . Corofin rattled the underside of the crossbar after a terrific Robin Mounsey shot and one wondered would this be their day at all.

Disaster then followed for Corofin after Eoun Clancy who had been booked earlier received a black card which meant a red card and Corofin would now play the remaining 15 or so minutes with only 14. At the final water break the sides were deadlocked at 1-5 apiece.

Rather than inhibit them, the red card ignited Corofin into a remarkable fourth quarter performance out scoring their opponents eight points to one. Jamie Malone started the process in the 46th minute with a beauty before two back to back wonder points. Firstly Diarmuid Cahill picked possession up on the far touchline, cut in beating three defenders before curling over off his weaker foot. Almost immediately after neat fast slick interplay between Mounsey and Cahill freed up midfielder Kevin Keane who fired over. Mounsey would then score a sensational point off his left boot and the hometown crowd erupted in joyous applause.

There was to be no denying Corofin who were simply rampant now, showing tremendous character courage and heart securing their place in the Munster intermediate semi-final on a full time score of 1-13 to 1-6. Corofin had leaders all over the field but special mention must go to Diarmuid Cahill who was unmarkable and midfielder Kevin Keane who won the world of possession helping propel his team into the attacking third time and time again.

Scorers Corofin: Diarmuid Cahill (0-6 1f), Gearoid Cahill (0-3 3f), OG (1-00), Jamie Malone (0-2), Kevin Keane (0-1), Robin Mounsey (0-1).

Scorers Kildimo-Pallaskenry: Peter Nash (1-4 4f), Liam O Sullivan (0-1), Cathal Downes (0-1).

Corofin

1: Luke Neylon

2: Marc O’Loughlin
3: Cilléin Mullins
4: John Rees

5: Colm Rice
6: Damien O’Loughlin
7: Shay Malone

8: Kevin Keane
9: Fionn Clancy

30: Jamie Malone
11: Diarmuid Cahill
12: Gearoid Kelly

13: Robin Mounsey
14: Cillian McGroary
15: Gearoid Cahill

Subs:
Ross Hayes for Mullins (17)
Killian O’Connor for F Clancy (38)
Cian O’Loughlin for Rees (49)
Cian Doolin for Kelly (60)

Kildimo-Pallaskenry
1: Jamie Hickey

2: Barry Walsh
3: Mossy Sheehan
4: Brian Howard