Corofin 2-8

Tuam Stars 0-12

By Eanna O’Reilly at Tuam Stadium

Defending champions Corofin made it three wins from three and qualified directly for the quarter finals in top spot from their group, after overcoming Tuam Stars on Sunday afternoon at Tuam Stadium.

Kevin Johnson’s charges held off a strong second-half effort from Tuam to take the victory, without being in top gear for long spells of the game.

With both sides having already qualified for the knockout stages in advance of this game, the prize of top spot was an offer for the winners. Although they were under pressure at times, particularly after losing Dylan Wall to a second-half black card, Corofin still never really looked like losing this tie. It was a controlled performance from Johnson’s side, who appear to be shaping up well for another run through the knockout stages.

The champions made the perfect start, with a goal in the second minute. A pacey run from Dylan McHugh opened up the Tuam defence, before Tony Gill finished impressively to the net, displaying good footwork in the process.

Tuam Stars replied with a well-taken point from Ben O’Connell, after a good run and pass from Brian Mannion. However, Corofin were on their game and tallied the next three points to go firmly into the driving seat. Dylan Canney converted a free from 25 yards out, before Gill took a neat point after a good pass from Dylan Wall.

Tuam turned over possession from the resulting kick-out, allowing Darragh Silke to set up Wall, whose point made it 1-3 to 0-1. David Donnellan’s charges had an early mountain to climb, but they replied in positive fashion with the next two points.

Mannion sent over a very well-directed effort from the left wing, before Conor Rhatigan landed a fine effort from 50 yards out to reduce the margin.

Two minutes later however, Tuam suffered another blow, with the concession of a second goal. Corofin veteran Gary Sice played a great ball into Conor Cunningham, 25 yards out from goal. Cunningham showed great strength to break inside, before firing a superb low shot to the bottom corner past Darragh Forkan.

Pictured: Corofin’s Dylan Wall comes under pressure from Gary O’Donnell and Max O’Connell of Tuam Stars in Tuam Stadium last weekend. Photo: David Cunniffe.