County senior football semi-finals down for decision Sunday

Annaghdown stand in Corofin’s way of another final

All year people have been making Corofin the hottest of favourites to win an historic fifth county title in a row and their scoring returns of 2-15, 2-17, 1-18, and 4-13 in their win over Moycullen two weeks ago, show the attacking prowess they have in championship football.

It is difficult to believe Corofin, who were crowned All-Ireland club champions in March 2015, have not been beaten in championship football in Galway since 2012.

However, Annaghdown will have a lot of confidence they are the team to do so when they meet at 3.45pm on Sunday.

If Corofin do have a weakness, it would appear to be in their defence as teams have been getting in for a good few goals, and goal chances, over the past few games.

Moycullen hit 2-8 in the last game, but they scorned at least three other green flag opportunities, and Annaghdown are unlikely to be so profligate if given such opportunities.

Superb stalwarts for Corofin such as Kieran Fitzgerald, who won his All-Star a whopping 16 years ago, and Ciarán Gizzie McGrath, who has been one of the best defenders in Galway club football over the past decade and a half, are starting to be targeted by opposition managers who feel that their might be a slight lack of pace in their legs now.

Damien Comer and Frankie Burke moving well

Annaghdown with Damien Comer on the edge of the square, and the free scoring Frankie Burke on his left, will want to get ball in to the danger zone regularly to test the resolve of the Corofin full-back line.

Burke was on fire in their quarter-final win over Leitir Mór and hit 2-3 from play in a stunning display. Conor Moloney, who lines out in the other corner, also notched 1-2 from play, and if Alan Flynn's team are to advance, they will need a good return from their inside line.

Defensively Annaghdown have some good players in county corner back Eoghan Kerin, centre-back Enda Mullarkey and Jonathan Creaven.

Johnny Farragher is a powerful man around the middle, and Matthias Coleman is a passionate player too, who is well able to win ball and relishes championship football.

While most neutrals will be rooting for an Annaghdown victory and a change at the top of Galway football, it is hard to dispel the feeling that if the Corofin forwards can get enough supply, then the the two Farraghers, Ian and Justin Burkes, Gary Sice, Micheál Lundy, and free taker Jason Leonrad may have too much guile for the Annaghdown defence.

Considering both Frankie Burke and Ian Burke notched 2-3 from play in their respective quarter-finals, this game could come down to which one of them can reproduce that kind of quality display.

 

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