A low scoring first half but one major talking point as Corofin and Moorefield went in all square at half-time in the All-Ireland Senior Club Football Semi-Final in Tullamore.
Corofin forward Martin Farragher was incredibly sent-off in the opening minute after referee Derek O’Mahoney adjudged him to have hit Moorefield full back Liam Healy with the knee following an early tussle.
How O’Mahoney came to such a swift decision was suprising but Healy’s reaction to what looked like Farragher trying to get off him following a push from another Moorefield player could have long-term implications should Corofin advance.
And it’s having a short-term effect in this encounter as well as Corofin, playing with one man down, have been forced to retreat and defend with intent restricting the Kildare champions to shooting from distance.
That being said, Corofin haven’t trailed in the match and Micheal Lundy came very close to a late goal chance for an advantage. But the two scores the Galway team provided were answered each time by their opponents.
Jason Leonard was first off the mark on 14 minutes when he converted but within 60 seconds, David Whyte provided the Moorefield response.
And when Gary Sice landed a free in the 20th minute to put Corofin 0-2 to 0-1 ahead, Eanna O’Connor did likewise two minutes before half-time to ensure parity at the break.
It’s a contest dominated by defence and not pretty on the eye. This has been the result of O’Mahoney’s early call that using the term harsh would be a massive understatement.
And what way will it influence Corofin’s game with Moorefield carrying the extra player for another 30 minutes.
Tús dochreidte anseo AIB – CLC Peile Sinsear 1 – @MoorefieldGaa v @CorofinGAA #GAA2018
Cárta dearg cheana féin!#GAABeo pic.twitter.com/qoXVnC0Ycr— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 17, 2018
