And then there were four.
It’s All-Ireland SFC club semi-final day as defending champions Corofin take on Cork’s Nemo Rangers at Cusack Park in Ennis.
The Galway outfit are looking to complete a three-in-a-row this season, as well as a fourth national title in six campaigns.
These sides previously met in the 2018 decider where Corofin outclassed Nemo, who last won out at this level in 2003.
We’ll have team line-ups for you shortly as we edge closer to the 1.30pm throw-in. You can also watch the game live on TG4.
Here’s how Corofin are named to line out:
1. Bernard Power
2. Cathal Silke
3. Kieran Fitzgerald
4. Liam Silke
5. Daithí Burke
6. Conor Cunningham
7. Dylan Wall
8. Kieran Molloy
9. Ronan Steede
10. Gary Sice
11. Michael Farragher
12. Jason Leonard
13. Ian Burke
14. Martin Farragher
15. Micheál Lundy (captain)
And this is the Nemo Rangers team:
1. Micheál Aodh Martin
2. Briain Murphy
3. Aidan O’Reilly
4. Alan Cronin
5. Kevin O’Donovan
6. Stephen Cronin
7. Jack Horgan
8. Alan O’Donovan
9. James McDermott
10. Luke Connolly
11. Paul Kerrigan
12. Colin O’Brien
13. Mark Cronin
14. Barry O’Driscoll
15. Conor Horgan
With just over twenty minutes to go until throw-in, how do you see this one going?
Poll Results:
Almost there now
Some changes before throw-in.
Corofin: Colin Brady starts ahead of Dylan Wall
Nemo Rangers: Kieran Histon comes in for Brian Murphy.
Throw-in!
We’re underway in Cusack Park!
Corofin goal! Micheál Lundy
Corofin 1-1 Nemo Rangers 0-0
What a start for the defending champions! Captain Micheál Lundy managed to sneak inside and get on the end of a brilliant team move before rounding the keeper and crashing his shot to the net.
Jason Leonard followed that up with a point from a ’45 to push them into a four-point lead.
Here’s that Lundy goal. Super pass from Martin Farragher
Cúl den scoth ansin ó @CorofinGAA !! Tús iontach don cluiche! @GAA_BEO @ConnachtGAA @MunsterGAA #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/Xiv8MdYOaQ
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 4, 2020
Corofin 1-3 Nemo Rangers 0-0
Ronan Steede stretches Corofin’s advantage before Farragher also finds his range. Still no score for Nemo.
Corofin 1-3 Nemo Rangers 0-0
There’s just no getting through the Corofin cover as Kieran Molloy gets back to put in some good defensive work.
Corofin 1-3 Nemo Rangers 0-0
Some good patient play there from Corofin featuring Molloy and Farragher. A floating ball is sent into Liam Silke but the Nemo keeper manages to get off his line in time.
Corofin 1-4 Nemo Rangers 0-0
Sice pops over a free which was earned by Ian Burke following a challenge from Kieran Histon.
Nemo need to get their scoreboard moving quickly.
Corofin 1-4 Nemo Rangers 0-0
SAVE!!
Brilliant point blank save from Corofin keeper Bernard Power following a powerful shot from Nemo full forward Barry O’Driscoll.
A goal would really have given the Cork outfit a boost at this stage of the first half but they’re going to have to wait a little longer for their first score of the game.
Corofin 1-4 Nemo Rangers 0-1
Nemo get their first score in the 24th minute from midfielder Alan O’Donovan, who clips the ball over the black spot with his left foot.
Corofin 1-4 Nemo Rangers 0-1
Luke Connolly squanders a great opportunity to cut the gap to five points as his free off the ground sails wide.
Corofin 1-4 Nemo Rangers 0-2
That’s two points without reply for Nemo as Conor Horgan splits the posts off his left. Nemo might have even been in for a goal there as O’Driscoll was drifting in off his shoulder.
Corofin 1-5 Nemo Rangers 0-2
Super run from Kieran Molloy and he finished it off by fisting the ball over the bar after gathering possession from a long ball in.
Just when it looked like Nemo were starting to eat through the lead, the defending champions come up with a response.
Two minutes of added time to be played in the first half.
Half-Time: Corofin 1-5 Nemo Rangers 0-2
Corofin 1-5 Nemo Rangers 0-2
Corofin will be the happier side heading into the dressing rooms at the break. That super goal from Lundy in the opening minute gave them the impetus to press their advantage as Sice, Molloy, Farragher, Leonard and Steede all kicked valuable points.
It took Nemo 24 minutes to get their first score of the game and they were unlucky not to score a goal as well, with Barry O’Driscoll seeing his effort saved by Bernard Power.
First half highlights
Second half! Corofin 1-5 Nemo Rangers 0-2
We’re back underway in Ennis.
Corofin 1-5 Nemo Rangers 0-2
Crucial intervention from Nemo defender Alan Cronin to stop Silke from trying to engineer a Corofin score.
Corofin 1-5 Nemo Rangers 0-2
Yellow card for Nemo’s Paul Kerrigan for a tackle on Ian Burke as Corofin come charging at Nemo again.
Molloy makes great strides to get down to the Nemo goal but the final shot from Lundy is sent wide.
Corofin 1-6 Nemo Rangers 0-2
Martin Farragher tries to pop the ball over the bar through the hand but it dips under the posts.
A ’45 follows a few moments later with Lundy curling the ball over the bar to push his side into a seven-point lead.
Corofin 1-6 Nemo Rangers 0-3
Luke Connolly drills the ball over the bar to get Nemo’s first point of the second half, but the Cork side need to add more to their account if they’re going to catch the champions.
Corofin 1-7 Nemo Rangers 0-5
Farragher and Connolly trade scores before Kevin O’Donovan pops up with an exceptional point for Nemo to leave the difference at five points.
Nemo almost get in for a goal from the next move as Power’s kickout is almost intercepted.
Corofin 1-7 Nemo Rangers 0-5
An-phointe ansin ó @NemoRangersGAA !@GAA_BEO #TheToughest pic.twitter.com/I8sXU0TVzt
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 4, 2020
Corofin 1-7 Nemo Rangers 0-5
Two poor wides from Ian Burke and Lundy there. While Corofin have the lead, they could end up regretting that wastefulness in front of goal.
Corofin 1-9 Nemo Rangers 0-5
Super score from Michael Farragher as he slices the ball over the bar. Burke follows that up with another point on the run.
Two crucial scores at this stage of the game as Lundy makes way for Dylan Wall.
Corofin 1-9 Nemo Rangers 0-6
O’Driscoll drills the ball over the bar from close range to bring Nemo back to within six of Corofin.
But he could have been in for a goal there. Meanwhile Luke Connolly picks up a yellow card.
Corofin 1-10 Nemo Rangers 0-6
Leonard and Burke link up well for the latter to swing the ball over the bar off his right.
With six minutes of normal time remaining, you feel that could be that.
Corofin 1-10 Nemo Rangers 0-7
Substitute Ciaran Dalton gets a point for Nemo after being put through by O’Driscoll.
Do they have enough time to catch Corofin at this stage? They need goals desperately.
Corofin 1-10 Nemo Rangers 0-7
Another wide for Nemo Rangers, this time from Kieran Heston. Ronan Steede picks up the man-of-the-match award with three minutes of added time to be played.
Corofin 1-10 Nemo Rangers 0-7
SAVE!
Another fine save from Bernard Power. This just isn’t Nemo’s day.
Full-Time: Corofin 1-10 Nemo Rangers 0-7
Corofin 1-10 Nemo Rangers 0-7
And that is that!
The writing was on the wall from the early stages of the game, as Corofin showed their class and experience to book a place in yet another All-Ireland club final.
The champions never really allowed Nemo get into the contest, keeping them scoreless until the 24th minute and limiting them to just two points at half-time.
Kevin O’Brien’s side had leaders all over the field, with Kieran Molloy, Ronan Steede, Ian Burke, Micheál Lundy and Martin Farragher all producing towering displays.
Well that’s all for the first All-Ireland SFC semi-final. Join The42′s Kevin O’Brien for the second semi-final liveblog later today as Ballyboden take on Kilcoo. Throw-in for that game is at 3.30pm.
Before you go, have a read of Fintan O’Toole’s Corofin v Nemo Rangers match report from Ennis.
Bye for now!
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
