A man for all seasons.
Galway hurling star Daithi Burke ensured Corofin’s presence in their fourth Connacht final in as many seasons as the All-Star full back netted a late extra-time goal to finally put the challenge of Roscommon champions St Brigid’s to bed.
FULL TIME Connacht SFC Semi Final@CorofinGAA 2-15@StBrigidsRos 1-14@CorofinGAA GOAL Daithí Burke#TheToughest #CorofinAbú
— Corofin.GAA (@CorofinGAA) November 12, 2017
The sides played out a thrilling provincial semi-final in Tuam Stadium and were tied 1-12 apiece after sixty minutes of action.
Much to the delight of the engrossed crowd, the game went to extra-time and to the credit of the Roscommon and Galway champions, the quality of the football on show only got better and better with the remarkable fitness levels of both sides prevailing.
Eventually, it was Corofin who emerged victorious from this titanic battle, winning out on a scoreline of 2-15 to 1-14 after 80 minutes of football.
Ready to go in Tuam Stadium. @CorofinGAA play as selected. pic.twitter.com/ScYJvVU20G
— Corofin.GAA (@CorofinGAA) November 12, 2017
Corofin will take on Castlebar Mitchels in the decider, giving them a chance to avenge their loss at the same stage against the same opponents in 2015.
This test will stand them in good stead going forward, because they really had to dig deep to deny a motivated St Brigid’s, who were driven on by the demons of last year’s 15 point loss to Corofin in the provincial decider.
Frankie Dolan’s men started as they meant to go on, with Senan Kilbride and Padraig Kelly leading the charge to give them a 0-5 0-2 lead in the early stages of the game
Corofin showed the steel and grit that has inspired their five in a row in Galway, an All-Ireland and a couple of Connachts in the last few seasons, however.
Ian Burke grabbed a goal, Colin Brady and Jason Leonard knocked over points, while Gary Sice’s influence was growing as they opened up a 1-11 to 1-9 lead after 46 minutes of action.
To the Roscommon side’s credit, they never gave in, and two last-gasp points meant extra-time was required.
#rosgaa
Full time
St. Brigid's: 1-12(15)
Corofin: 1-12(15)#rosgaa . Full time score: St. Brigid's 1-12(15) Corofin 1-12(15)— St.Brigid's Gaa Club (@StBrigidsRos) November 12, 2017
The decisive moment came just after the resumption of the second half of extra-time, with the substitute Burke raising that crucial green flag.
They held on to win by four.
There's very little that Daithí Burke can't do!!
— Michael Verney (@mlverney) November 12, 2017
These lads just won’t go away.
