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O'Donovan helps to dim Tuam Stars

GALWAY SFC FINAL: Corofin 0-16 Tuam Stars 1-6: ALAN O’DONOVAN produced a man-of-the-match display as Corofin won their 14th …

Mon Oct 31 2011 - 00:00

GALWAY SFC FINAL: Corofin 0-16 Tuam Stars 1-6:ALAN O'DONOVAN produced a man-of-the-match display as Corofin won their 14th Galway SFC title in history and their 11th in the past 21 years at Tuam Stadium yesterday.

O’Donovan kicked 10 points – five in each half – as Corofin blew their neighbours away in an entertaining Galway final in front of a crowd of about 5,000.

Tuam opted to play against the wind but Corofin had the game wrapped up by the interval as they opened up a lead of 0-11 to 0-2.

Alan Burke got them off the mark after just 20 seconds before Damian Burke landed two wonderful scores and O’Donovan broke Tuam hearts with scores from play and frees. Kieran Comer, Justin Burke and even centre-back Greg Delaney found the range as the favourites turned the screw.

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Daithí Burke and Greg Higgins dominated midfield, while corner-back Kieran McGrath was outstanding throughout, regularly dashing forward. Tuam could offer little resistance, although Shane Curtin got a couple of points but Jamie Murphy had a goal effort saved.

Corofin led by nine points at the break – they kicked seven wides as well – and while Tuam hit back with points from Gary O’Donnell, Shane Gaffney and wing-back Noel Henry after the restart, O’Donovan responded to each of them with points from frees.

Murphy tacked on a point for Tuam Stars and then Gary O’Donnell lobbed home a superb goal after 46 minutes to leave it 0-14 to 1-6. Tuam got a chance to narrow the deficit further but David Morris saved Shane Gaffney’s penalty.

Tuam Stars did not score after that and Corofin ran out winners with veteran substitute Trevor Burke coming on in the dying moments to claim his 11th Galway SFC medal.

COROFIN:D Morris; P Kelly, K Fitzgerald, K McGrath; A Burke (0-1), G Delaney (0-1), M Comer; Daithí Burke, G Higgins; G Sice, Damien Burke (0-2), A O'Donovan (0-10, 0-6 frees, 0-1 45); M Lundy, J Burke (0-1), K Comer (0-1). Subs: R Steede for K Comer (44 mins), R Burke for Damian Burke, I Burke for Lundy, T Burke for J Burke, A Donnellan for Daithí Burke (all 60 mins).

TUAM STARS:J Trayers; D O'Rourke, I McGough, A Tierney; D Connern, T Costello, N Henry (0-1); B Devaney, J Lawless; D Byrne, J Murphy (0-1), G O'Donnell (1-1); S Curtin (0-2, 0-1 free), C Doherty, S Gaffney (0-1). Subs: D Marley for Byrne (42 mins), R Gaffney for Devaney (30 mins), D Murray for Curtin, G Cunniffe for S Gaffney (both 58 mins).

Referee: G Daly (Monivea-Abbey).