Corofin were in a different class
THE footballers of Corofin took a giant step towards sporting immortality on St Patrick’s Day as joint-captains Micheál Lundy and Ciaran McGrath ascended the steps of the Hogan Stand and joined a roll call of multiple winners of club football’s biggest prize.
In putting Dr Crokes to the sword by 12 points, Corofin joined UCD (1974-75), St Finbarr’s from Cork (1979-80) and Crossmaglen Rangers (1999-00 & 2011-12) on an exclusive list that have successfully retained the Andy Merrigan Cup during its 48-year history.
All the talk in the build-up was of who would blink first, the reigning champions or their predecessors in 2017 from Killarney, the last side to defeat them in championship football.
What unfolded was a footballing masterclass from Kevin O’Brien’s side as they tore Crokes to shreds, pounced for Jason Leonard and Gary Sice goals in a dominant first half that also saw Crokes reduced to 14 men with the dismissal of their captain John Payne.
In putting Dr Crokes to the sword by 12 points, Corofin joined UCD (1974-75), St Finbarr’s from Cork (1979-80) and Crossmaglen Rangers (1999-00 & 2011-12) on an exclusive list that have successfully retained the Andy Merrigan Cup during its 48-year history.
All the talk in the build-up was of who would blink first, the reigning champions or their predecessors in 2017 from Killarney, the last side to defeat them in championship football.
What unfolded was a footballing masterclass from Kevin O’Brien’s side as they tore Crokes to shreds, pounced for Jason Leonard and Gary Sice goals in a dominant first half that also saw Crokes reduced to 14 men with the dismissal of their captain John Payne.