There is a reason that they call it The Toughest.
Corofin’s reign as All-Ireland club football champions is over, as the Galway side coughed up that title, as well as their Connacht crown, this afternoon against Mayo champions Castlebar Mitchels in a 2-10 to 0-11 loss in Tuam.
The 2015 champions conceded an early goal to Barry Moran,but came back to be level at half time, showing all their experience as the teams retired at 1-5 to 0-8.
However the game’s crucial score came in the 45th minute when Neil Douglas rattled the back of the Corofin net.
Five minutes later Martin Farragher was shown his second caution of the afternoon for Corofin, and with a numerical advantage Castlebar held on for their second Connacht title in just three years.
In the Leinster senior club football championship semi finals Ballyboden St Endas will play Portlaoise in the decider after both sides recorded respective provincial last four wins this afternoon.
The Dublin champions proved much too strong for St Loman’s of Westmeath in a 1-11 to 0-9 win in Cusack Park.
Sam Molony’s goal was the crucial score in a free-riddled game that saw the referee whistle 29 times alone in the second half.
The other semi final saw Portlaoise overcome Emmet Óg Kiloo by 5-12 to 0-11.
Craig Rodgers and Brian McCormack scored early goals to rock the challengers in O’Moore Park, as they reached a third Leinster club final in four years.
In the Munster senior club hurling final Na Piarsaigh of Limerick proved too strong for Ballygunner of Waterford in a 2-18 to 2-11 win this afternoon.
The Limerick side have never lost a game in provincial club championship since 2011 and with Shane Dowling in top form from frees the Shannonsiders took home the Munster title for the third time
Ballygunner led by four points at the break, at 1-7 to 1-4, but in a devastating second half 30 minute period the Limerick side – led by Shane Dowling who scored 1-4 over the course of the hour – held on for the win.
In the Galway senior hurling final replay Sarsfields got the job done second time round with 2-10 to 0-14 win over Craughwell.
It was the first win for Sars since 1997, as Niall Morrissey scored 0-6 over the course of the hour and Joseph Cooney scored 1-0 as his side led 2-6 to 0-8 at the break.
In the Kerry senior football championship final replay South Kerry secured the spoils in Killarney against Legion with a 1-13 to 1-12 win.
Both sides were tied at 1-11 each in a thrilling game in Fitzgerald stadium after legion had led by four points at the break.
Bryan Sheehan was black carded early in extra time in an almost dark setting, as James O’Donoghue was temporarily substituted after suffering a shoulder injury.
He did come back on, but a quick free from Declan O’Sullivan set up Aidan Walsh to fist the winner two minutes from time and help the divisional side to life the Bishop Moynihan cup.
