St. Breckan's Donnacha O'Dwyer is closely watched by Corofin's goalscorer Seanan Kirby and Gearoid Cahill (Photo: The Burren Eye/Clare Echo)

Corofin are quickly beginning to find their feet in Senior Football . They moved to the brink of the Clare SFC knockout stages with a convincing 1-13 to 0-9 victory over St Breckan’s at a misty Gurteen yesterday afternoon . Seanán Kirby’s first-half goal proved decisive and his side established control thereafter, with Cillian McGroary particularly influential, finishing the contest with six points. As a by product - the win, their first in the senior championship since 2022, also looks to have gone a long way towards securing their senior status for next season.

For St Breckan’s, the defeat leaves them facing an uphill battle to avoid the relegation play-offs after successive losses. In truth , they haven’t looked themselves since a convincing semi final defeat to Miltown in what was before then a promising Cusack Cup campaign . Luck hasn’t been on their side either . Two blows in the opening half yesterday saw them lose their influential captain Rowan Danaher and inter county keeper Tristan O’Callaghan .The Spa struggled for consistency throughout, registering 14 wides and conceding too many frees, which McGroary punished them for, while Corofin’s greater intensity and aerial strength ultimately proved the difference. 

Kirby’s low first timed shot to the Breckan’s net when picked out by Jamie Malone midway through the first half energised them . The promising Clare Under 20 panellist added a further two points and was busy throughout taking over the scoring mantle from the well marshalled danger man Malone who adapted well to the role of provider . Gearoid Cahill was also lively in Corofin’s attack while Kevin Keane , although dismissed on a black card in the latter stages, gave a robust defensive display while also managing to contribute two points . 

Corofin now face Kilmurry Ibrickane in their final group game, while St Breckan’s must regroup and beat Lissycasey and hope results elsewhere go their way.