Corofin to take latest Galway-Mayo showdown
Saturday November 21 2009
CONNACHT CLUB SFC FINAL
CHARLESTOWN (Mayo) v COROFIN (Galway)
(Charlestown, Tomorrow, 2.0, live TG4)
Plenty of pros and cons to weigh up ahead of this latest Galway-Mayo showdown. Corofin are Connacht holders and predictable favourites -- but Charlestown are at home.
Corofin overcame a ponderous start to beat Glencar/Manorhamilton by 10 points in their semi-final, whereas Charlestown were pushed to the pin of their collar (and extra-time) by Castlerea.
Then again, Corofin have several injury problems, with hamstrung Galway defender Kieran Fitzgerald their most notable absentee. All of which could prove costly, except that Charlestown are definitely without veteran midfielder David Tiernan (fractured ankle) while Richard Haran (broken bone in his hand) is a major doubt.
True, Charlestown ousted Galway opponents in their last Connacht final appearance -- but that was eight years ago against unheralded Annaghdown, not the heavyweight contenders from Corofin.
ODDS: Charlestown 7/4, Draw 7/1, Corofin 4/7
VERDICT: Corofin
MUNSTER CLUB SFC SEMI-FINALS
KERINS O'RAHILLYS (Kerry) v MOYLE ROVERS (Tipp)
(Tralee, Tomorrow, 2.0)
TOMMY WALSH and David Moran have been busy passing medicals in far away Melbourne this past week, and their absence will fuel Tipp dreams that Declan Browne, the ageing but still deadly gunslinger, can propel Moyle Rovers to unlikely victory. Then again, the return from suspension of Michael Quirkeshould swing the deal for O'Rahillys.
ODDS: O'Rahillys 1/3, Draw 8/1, Moyle Rvs 11/4. VERDICT: Kerins O'Rahillys
STRADBALLY (Waterford) v KILMURRY/IBRICKANE (Clare) (Dungarvan, Tomorrow, 2.0)
THE Waterford champions will be desperate to avenge 2004, when they had a legitimate 'point' waved wide in the drawn Munster final against Kilmurry/Ibrickane -- and duly lost the replay. But even on Déise soil, this still looks Kilmurry's to lose.
ODDS: Stradbally 5/2, Draw 15/2, Kilmurry 4/11 VERDICT: Kilmurry/Ibrickane
- Frank Roche
