Castlebar Mitchels 2-10
Corofin 0-11
BARRY MORAN WAS the main man as Castlebar Mitchels defeated All-Ireland club champions Corofin in a thrilling Connacht club SFC decider at Tuam Stadium.
Moran and Neil Douglas bagged the goals for the Mayo outfit, who produced a dynamic display to secure provincial glory.
Intense and edgy, the opening period was packed with decent football as the teams eventually departed level at the break.
Though Corofin started brightly kicking delightful points courtesy of Kieran Fitzgerald and Martin Farragher Castlebar Mitchels replied reeling off 1-3 without reply.
Midfielder Barry Moran was instrumental grabbing a splendid ninth-minute goal following a sharp Danny Kirby assist.
Further scores from Neil Douglas and Moran nudged Castlebar four ahead, but Corofin summoned a response. Gary Sice converted two frees while Ronan Steede rifled over a sweet point from play as Castlebar’s lead was trimmed to 1-3 to 0-5.
It remained hotly contested as Castlebar were two in front as the interval approached, but Ian Burke and Martin Farragher kicked points to ensure Corofin levelled, 1-5 to 0-8.
It was similarly fast and frenetic after the restart as Douglas and Dylan Wall swapped scores with Corofin boosted by the introduction of All Star hurler Daithi Burke.
Moran turned provider with a clever 45th-minute which enabled Douglas to drill a classy goal for Castlebar.
Corofin trailed 2-8 to 0-10 with 10 minutes remaining when Martin Farragher was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Scorers for Castlebar Mitchels: Neil Douglas 1-3 (1f), Barry Moran 1-2, Shane Hopkins 0-1, Richie Feeney 0-1, Neil Lydon 0-1, Stephen Keane 0-1, Eoghan O’Reilly 0-1 (f).
Scorers for Corofin: Martin Farragher 0-4 (2fs), Gary Sice 0-3 (3fs), Ian Burke 0-1, Ronan Steede 0-1, Kieran Fitzgerald 0-1, Dylan Wall 0-1.
Castlebar Mitchels:
1. Rory Byrne
2. Tom Cunniffe
4. Donie Newcombe
3 Alan Feeney
7 Ray O’Malley
6 Eoghan O’Reilly
5 Paddy Durcan
8 Ger McDonagh
9 Barry Moran
10 Shane Hopkins
11 Neil Lydon
13 Neil Douglas
18 Cian Costello
15 Danny Kirby
14 Richie Feeney
Subs:
12 Aidan Walsh for McDonagh (35 mins)
20 James Durcan for Costello (38 mins)
19 Fergal Durkin for Hopkins (44 mins)
17 Sean Conlon for Newcombe (46 mins)
24 Stephen Keane for Lydon (50 mins, black card)
21 Ronan Burke for Feeney (60 mins)
Corofin:
1 Tom Healy
7 Liam Silke
3 Kieran Fitzgerald
5 Ciaran McGrath
4 Conor Cunningham
2 Padraic Kelly
6 Alan Burke
20 Greg Higgins
9 Ronan Steede
10 Gary Sice
12 Michael Farragher
11 Dylan Wall
13 Martin Farragher
14 Micheal Lundy
15 Ian Burke
Subs:
8 Daithi Burke for Higgins (34 mins)
17 Cathal Silke for McGrath (46 mins)
18 Kieran Molloy for Cunningham (46 mins)
19 Jason Leonard for Lundy (55 mins, black card
Referee: Eamonn O’Grady (Leitrim).
