GAA: Corofin record seven-point victory over Tir Chonaill Gaels in All-Ireland quarter-final

Gary Sice produced a superb second-half performance to guide Corofin to a 0-9 to 0-2 victory over Tir Chonaill Gaels in their All-Ireland quarter-final at Ruislip.

The Connacht champions were wayward in front of goal during the first half and led 0-2 to 0-1 at the interval, but Sice registered five points after the restart to ensure a repeat of Corofin’s seven-point success over TCG in 2009.

Corofin had scored 23-96 in this year’s championship prior to their trip to London, but they struggled to reproduce that form on a heavy Emerald Grounds pitch.

The visitors opened the scoring through Sice after two minutes but they didn’t trouble the scoreboard again until the final minute of the first half, which was down to a combination of wayward shooting and excellent defending from the London champions.

Corofin captain Michael Farragher should have found the net on 14 minutes when played through by Ian Burke, but his shot fizzed inches past the post and wide.

Tir Chonaill Gaels created few scoring opportunities during the opening half but they levelled matters with 22 minutes gone when Cathal O’Neill blasted over from close range.

Martin Farragher’s late point gave Corofin a 0-2 to 0-1 lead at the interval but they would play into a strong breeze in the second half.

However, Sice was Corofin’s saviour after the restart. Despite missing a free from in front of the posts, the half-forward atoned with a cracking point from distance, and added four more from placed balls.

Playing their first game since the start of September, Tir Chonaill Gaels tired as the second half progressed, and their hopes of a first All-Ireland quarter-final victory in 15 attempts were ended when Sice found his range.

Scorers

Corofin: G Sice 0-6 (4f), Martin Farragher, Michael Farragher, D Burke 0-1 each.

Tir Chonaill Gaels: C O’Neill, E O’Neill (f) 0-1 each.