Corofin are again a powerful force in U-21 football
By BILLY COSS Corofin  - 4-17 Claregalway  - 0-3 WHILE all eyes may be fixed on their Senior's trip to Kiltoom and a Connacht Club final meeting with St. Brigid's next Sunday, Corofin's U21s produced a devastating display in Tuam Stadium on Saturday afternoon to win the North Board A Football title against a vastly outclassed Claregalway. [private] More than six months had passed since the sides played their last fixtures in the much delayed competition. It lent a degree of the unknown to the clash and while it was expected that the majority of the Corofin side's involvement with their Senior panel would give them a pronounced advantage in terms of fitness and sharpness, no-one could have foreseen the vast gulf that existed between the teams. By the final whistle, Brian Silke's team had ran out an emphatic 26-point defeat on their way to retaining the Pa Burke Memorial Cup. Fielding two-thirds of their winning side at the grade last year, Corofin were rampant from start to finish and could hardly have been more impressive. Despite opening the scoring, Claregalway were on the back foot and over-run to such an extent that the winners had 3-8 without reply on the board by the 24th minute - with all but one point coming from play. The pressure was relentless and, in truth, it could have been more. At the other end, Claregalway made little impact and their marksman-in-chief, Danny Cummins, was completely starved of ball as Corofin owned possession, displayed a ruthless streak in front of the posts and put the game beyond reach long before the interval. Ronan Burke, Adrian Molloy and Micheál Lundy were the first half goal scorers while Burke - who along with younger brother, DaithÃÂ, lined out with Turloughmore U21 hurlers on Sunday - grabbed his second after the break. There was little respite for Brendan O'Hagan's team as the winners kicked on to a scarcely believable margin of victory. Defensively, Corofin were outstanding as a unit and they tackled and harried and forced countless turnovers from Claregalway. To end a North Board campaign conceding a mere 1-1, 0-1 and now 0-3 in their three matches played is a remarkable feat. DaithàBurke, Alan Molloy and Ronan Steede, who produced some spectacular catches during the second half, gave Corofin almost total control of midfield while Ronan Burke, Colm O'Donovan, Adrian Molloy and Micheál Lundy were their main marksmen as nine different players got in on the scoring act in an extremely slick and cohesive attacking display. Corofin emptied their bench late on with an eye on next weekend's Connacht Club final, replacing Senior players Michael Farragher, Micheál Lundy and both Ronan and DaithàBurke. On a day when the club won their first-ever County U16 Championship, Claregalway were outplayed in all sectors with three pointed frees all they had to show for their efforts. After what must rank as one of the most impressive collective performances given at any level inside the county this season, Corofin move on to a County final meeting with West Board champions, Salthill-Knocknacarra. Corofin: T. Healy; C. Keady, C. Silke, A. Lawless (captain); E. Fleming (0-1), M. Farragher (0-1), E. Langan (0-1); Alan Molloy, D. Burke (0-2); M. Lundy (1-1), R. Steede (0-1), Adrian Molloy (1-3); C. O'Donovan (0-5, two frees), I. Burke, R. Burke (2-2, one free). Subs used: C. Cunningham, O. Mannion, C. Raftery, G. Coen, C. McNamara. Claregalway: R. Moran; H. Newell, K. McDermott, M. Brennan; M. Evans, C. Costello, C. O'Hagan; D. Hansberry, K. Hansberry; G. Cheevers, M. Noonan, P. Divilly; E. Commins (0-1 free), D. Cummins (captain, 0-1 free), J. Evans (0-1 free). Subs Used: M. Igoe, D. McGreal, C. Brennan, C. Harte. Referee: Gerry Guinan. Herald Sport Man of the Match: Shared by Colm O'Donovan and Ronan Burke (Corofin). [/private]