Dr Crokes and Corofin reach All-Ireland club final
Saturday 16 February 2019 22:30, UK
The 2017 and 2018 All-Ireland champions, Dr Crokes and Corofin, will face off in the St Patrick's Day decider after wins over Mullinalaghta and Gaoth Dobhair respectively.
Dr Crokes 0-18 Mullinalaghta 2-7
The Killarney side played the majority of the game with 14 men after Johnny Buckley was sent off in the first half. Two early goals from Gary Rogers and Jayson Matthews sparked real belief among the travelling contingent from Longford that yet another upset was on the cards, but the Kerry kingpins' class began to tell.
Running at the Mullinalaghta defence, the Crokes' attack caused several issues as they progressed to take a 0-11 to 2-3 lead at half-time.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Munster champions pushed on, dominating their opponents' kick-outs on the way to a deserved five-point win.
Corofin 2-13 Gaoth Dobhair 1-12
The reigning champions out-gunned the Donegal Gaeltacht outift in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, as they secured their return to Croke Park. Chasing a third Andy Merrigan Cup in five years, Corofin had enough to see their way through to the decider once again.
Veteran forward Gary Sice contributed 1-7 for the Galway side, with the goal coming from open play. Meanwhile, Gaoth Dobhair also looked to an experienced forward as Kevin Cassidy led their charge, as the former Donegal county stalwart scored 1-2 from play.
Corofin went in at the break 2-7 to 1-5 to the good, and kept the Ulster champions at arm's length throughout the second half to secure the four-point win.
