CONNACHT SFC SEMI-FINALSGALWAY CHAMPIONS Corofin were put to the pin of their collar at McHale Park, Castlebar, yesterday, with Mayo champions Ballintubber going six points up inside 12 minutes – Cillian O'Connor finishing to the net.

But Ballintubber faded out of it for the next 15 minutes as Corofin took over at midfield and hit back with 1-7.

By the 28th minute Corofin had pulled level, the free-taking of Alan O’Donovan, who finished with eight points, pivotal to their revival, but it was a goal from Gary Sice on 19 minutes which turned the game. Sice picked up a long ball from Gary Delaney to slot home from close range. Just before the half-time whistle Kieran Comer added a point to leave it 1-8 to 1-4 in favour of the Galway champions.

Corofin had chances to go further ahead and, had O’Donovan not been denied by Ballintubber goalkeeper Brendan Walsh, it could have been all over. But just when you felt Corofin were coasting, Cillian O’Connor struck for his second goal with 15 minutes left. O’Donovan kicked two more frees, but a Jason Gibbons point had Ballintubber hanging in and they might have snatched it, Cillian O’Connor in on goal but denied by David Morris.

COROFIN: D Morris; P Kelly, K Fitzgerald, K McGrath; A Burke, G Delaney, M Comer; D Burke, G Higgins; G Sice (1-1), D Burke, A O'Donovan (0-8, six frees); M Lundy (0-1), M Farragher, K Comer (0-1). Subs: J Burke for Comer (45 mins), A Donnellan for Lundy (55 mins),

BALLINTUBBER: B Walsh; G Loftus, C Hallinan, M Kelly; T Earley, D Geraghty, R O'Connor; M Hoban (0-1), J Gibbons (0-1); A Dillon (0-1), A Plunkett, G Dillon; P O'Connor, K McGuinness, C O'Connor (2-3, one free). Subs: D McGing (0-1) for P O'Connor (40 mins), M Nester for T Earley (45 mins), D Coleman for A Punkett (55 mins).

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).

In the provincial final, St Brigid’s and Corofin will meet at Kiltoom on Sunday, November 20th (2pm).