*Aaron Fitzgerald accepts the Garry Cup from Clare GAA’s Irish Officer Joe Garry. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
A strong third quarter when they landed 0-5 without reply paved the way for Éire Óg’s victory over Corofin in the Garry Cup (division 2) football league final on Friday evening.
Éire Óg 0-14
Corofin 0-11
Venue: Cooraclare
A point separated the sides when the half time whistle sounded after an evenly fought first half in which both sides had kicked some good scores.
It was point for point throughout the first quarter with Corofin answering each time the eventual winners had taken the lead.
It was 0-3 each at the end of the first quarter before Éire Óg opened a two point gap only for Corofin to respond with a brace and level the tie for the fourth time
Points were swapped again before Philip Talty’s effort left the Ennis side 0-7 to 0-6 ahead at the break, four of the winner’s scores having come from midfielder Darren O’Neill.
They returned with Einne O’Connor in their line up in place of Jarlath Collins and within a few minutes of the restart they sent in Ikem Ugwueru for Gavin D’Auria.
Points from Darren O’Brien, Oran Cahill and three from Philip Talty saw they go six clear by the three quarter stage.
Corofin weren’t prepared to concede and they stormed back helped by three points from Diarmuid Cahill to trail by two as the end of normal time approached.
Éire Óg had the final say and Oran Cahill kicked a fine score as the game went into the second minute of added time to seal a merited win and what many predict will be a league and championship double winning season for the club.
Team captain Aaron Fitzgerald, Ciaran Russell, Ronan Lanigan, Darren O’Neill, and Oran Cahill were prominent for the winners while Eoin Davoran, the O’Loughlins, Marc and Damian, Colm Rice, Sean O’Brien and the Cahills, Gearoid and Diarmuid worked hard for Corofin
After the game Clare GAA’s Irish officer Joe Garry presented the cup in memory of his late father Michael to the Éire Óg captain, Aaron Fitzgerald.
Scorers Éire Óg; Philip Talty (0-5, 4f), Darren O’Neill (0-4), Oran Cahill (0-2) Ciaran Russell, Gavin D’Auria, Darren O’Brien (0-1) each
Scorers Corofin; Diarmuid Cahill (0-4, 1f) Gearoid Cahill (1f), Sean O’Brien (0-2) each; Caoimhin Doovan, Cillian Clancy Cillian McGroary (0-1) each.
Éire Óg; Shane Daniels; Luke Pyne, Aaron Fitzgerald (caaptain), Dean Ryan; Ciaran Russell, Aidan McGrath, Ronan Lanigan; Darren O’Neill, Darren O’Brien; Niall McMahon, Oran Cahill, Gavin D’Auria; Jarlath Collins, Philip Talty, David McNamara;
Subs; Einne O’Connor for J. Collins (half time); Ikem Ugwueru for G. D’Auria (38); Jack Joyce for L. Pyne (51);
Corofin; Eoin Davoran;; Cillein Mullins, Marc O’Loughlin, John Rees; Damian O’Loughlin, Colm Rice, Evan Doolin; Gearoid Kelly Gearoid Cahill; Cillian Clancy, Sean O’Brien, Caoimhin Donovan; Diarmuid Cahill, Cathal Flanagan, Cillian McGroary;
Subs; Cian Doolin for E. Doolin (55); Josh O’Brien for D. Cahill (61)
Referee: Barry Kelly (St Joseph’s Miltown)
