Connacht FBD Final: Roscommon too strong for Galway

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Roscommon 2-25 Galway 0-13 By Cian O’Connell at University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome

This was another satisfactory success for Roscommon, who cruised to victory at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome. A youthful Galway outfit were unable to deal with Roscommon’s pace and power throughout. By the time the interval rolled around Roscommon were 1-14 to 0-6 ahead with Galway in severe distress. Adam McDermott and Cathal Heneghan were lively inside for Davy Burke’s charges, while Eoin McCormack mined a splendid ninth minute goal.

That major guided Roscommon 1-4 to 0-2 in front before Heneghan and Antaine Ó Laoi traded scores. Then Roscommon reeled off seven points without reply before Cillian Ó Curraoin replied with three in a row for Galway. Unperturbed Roscommon finished the half strongly with substitute Donie Smith kicking a couple of scores to ensure they held a commanding interval advantage.

It was a similar story after the restart with Roscommon dominant. Galway relied on the promising Ó Curraoin for scores. Roscommon, though, were sharp with All-Star Enda Smith palming a 66th minute goal to seal the deal.

Scorers for Roscommon: Eoin McCormack and Enda Smith 1-0 each, Cathal Heneghan, Dylan Ruane (1m), and Donie Smith (2fs) 0-3 each, Ciaran Lennon, Adam McDermott, Andrew Glennon, Daire Cregg (1f), and Conor Cox (2fs) 0-2 each, Senan Lambe, Declan Kenny, Jack Duggan, Cian Connolly, Niall Higgins, and Diarmuid Murtagh (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Cillian Ó Curraoin 0-10 (7fs, 1 45), Céin D’Arcy, Liam Costello, and Antaine Ó Laoi (f) 0-1 each.

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Caelim Keogh, Luke Glennon, Patrick Gavin; Niall Higgins, Evan Flynn, Eoin McCormack; Keith Doyle, Dylan Ruane; Cian Connolly, Diarmuid Murtagh, Ciaran Lennon; Conor Cox, Cathal Heneghan, Adam McDermott.

Subs: Enda Smith for Murtagh (23), Andrew Glennon for Cox (24), Donie Smith for Connolly (32), Niall Daly for McCormack (34), Declan Kenny for Keogh (34), Colm Lavin for Carroll (HT), David Murray for L Glennon (HT), Jack Duggan for McDermott (40), Senan Lambe for Heneghan (45), Colin Walsh for Flynn (55), Daire Cregg for Doyle (60).

Galway: Oran Burke; Liam Boyle, Billy Mannion, Darragh Varley; Cian Monaghan, Jack Kirrane, Daniel O’Flaherty; Ciarán Brady, Céin D’Arcy; Ryan Monaghan, Antaine Ó Laoi, Jack O’Neill; Liam Costello, Charlie Power, Cillian Ó Curraoin.

Subs: Rory Cunningham for O’Neill (29), Diarmuid Kilcommins for O’Flaherty (34), Gerard Davoren for Ó Laoi (40), Donal Hunt for C Monaghan (40), Shane McGrath for Costello (42), Mark Colleran for Power (52), Conor Rafferty for Brady (52).

Referee: Michael McGirl (Leitrim).