Third time lucky for Corofin

Corofin 2-6 Truagh-Clonlara 0-4

Corofin put the disappointment of the last two years to bed when they claimed their first Fr Murray Cup on Saturday. The girls from Corofin got off to a great start when Claire Commane converted a long-range free. The ball looked to be sailing over the bar when it dipped at the last minute into the corner, over Niamh Power’s head.
This gave Corofin the launching pad for victory and they never let it slip. Truagh’s Sarah Sherlock got her side’s first score when she landed a 45.
Claire Commane responded for Corofin and pointed from play after 17 minutes. Then Niamh Power had to pull of the first of many saves before Brenda O’Donoghue pointed for Corofin. Helen Guinnane responded for Truagh a minute later.
Truagh then had their period of dominance but hit three wides in the space of four minutes, which proved costly. Corofin were more economical with scoring chances and when Aoife Davoren got a chance in front of goal in the 27th minute she found the net. 
Davoren missed a point opportunity moments later but Claire Commane closed out the half with a pointed free to leave Corofin leading 2-1 to 0-2 at the break.
Defences were on top on both sides, with forwards getting little time or room on the ball and this made things difficult in the second half.
Claire Commane was the tormentor in chief and pointed with just 11 seconds on the board in the second half.
Truagh then had to do some stout defending as Corofin looked to finish out the game. Niamh Power was strong in goal, as were Caroline Craughan and Christine Meskell in defence.
Aislinn Kelleher pointed for Corofin and this was responded to by Yvonne Woods, who had a great score from a tight angle. Claire Commane converted a free for Corofin two minutes later. Woods closed the gap again when pointing but Corofin still looked strong and were holding their own at midfield and in defence.
They finished well, with Claire Commane converting two further frees while Truagh goalie Niamh Power had to pull of a number of saves in the closing minutes.
Corofin were well deserving of their win and the experience of the previous two years certainly stood to them. They will now continue to represent the county at Munster level.
Sisters of the late Fr Murray, Therese and Ita Murray presented the cup to the winning captain, Aislinn Kelleher.

Corofin: Carmel Tierney; Neasa Carkill, Edel Keating, Donna Courtney; Niamh Shannon, Muireann Kelleher, Lisa Clancy; Brenda O’Donoghue, Niamh O’Dea; Linda McMahon, Claire Commane, Aislinn Kelleher; Aoife Davoren, Marie Raftery and Siobhán Kelleher.
Subs: Aisling Shannon for Carkill; Doireann Hanrahan for Davoren and Nicola O’Donoghue for L McMahon.

Truagh-Clonlara: Niamh Power; Christine Meskell, Caroline Craughan, Sarah Hastings; Kathleen Horgan, Teresa Nihill, Maire Guinnane; Helen Guinnane, Therese Hartley; Michelle Caulfield, Sarah Sherlock, Ellen Horgan; Yvonne Woods, Cathy Halley and Sinéad Collins.
Subs: Marie Begley for E Horgan (inj); Liza Moloney for S Collins and Sarah Joyce for Sarah Hastings.

Referee: John Dolan, Clarecastle.