By Cian O’Connell

Between 1998 and 2015 Corofin waited and wondered.

In that spell eight Galway Championships and three Connacht titles were collected. Still the itch Corofin wanted to scratch was on the national stage.

So when AIB All Ireland glory was secured beating St Vincent’s and Slaughtneil five years ago, Corofin had blasted a reminder of their considerable ability.

Micheal Lundy acknowledges that Corofin had thought long and hard about delivering in those type of matches.

“Yeah, I suppose in the early years playing senior when I first came into the senior set-up it was the second year in a row getting to an All Ireland Semi-Final,” Lundy says.

“Probably we were beaten by a very strong St Galls team, but it was a while later before we got to another All Ireland Semi-Final.

“The last few years they have tended to be going well, we have won all but one of them. So they have been going alright.”

Lundy stresses the valuable contribution made by a gifted crop of players- featuring sons of the 1998 heroes – blending well with the experienced campaigners.

“From the first time we won the All Ireland under Stephen Rochford there seems to be a good crop of younger lads, a couple of years younger than me who pushed on to the team and are mainstays of the team now since them days,” Lundy admits.

“That is the beauty of the squad, you always have younger lads coming in. They are seeing the success gone in years before and are mad to get into the senior set-up.

“It is great to have guys joining the panel, who weren't even part of the panel last year. We have young lads who played minor and Under 20 for Galway last year pushing for places.

“The management are freshening up the squad, it keeps lads on their toes because competition in the squad is strong.”

With an aggregate winning total of 37 points from their final wins over Slaughtneil, Nemo Rangers, and Dr Crokes, Corofin have truly delivered at Croke Park, reserving their best displays for GAA headquarters.

“It isn't something we think about too much,” Lundy states. “Obviously Croke Park being a big pitch, perfect conditions definitely suits the style of football we try to play and what not. I'm sure they will definitely try to stop us playing football, they will try to play at their own tempo.

“It is a matter of seeing who comes out on top, there is no guarantees we will get to play our style of football, they might dictate it. We will just work hard.

“That is what we base ourselves on: good hard work rate and let the football flow. Hopefully it is more of the same in Croke Park. It has done us well in the past, but there is no guarantees for the future. With hard work it will go to plan on the day.”