Rossies power to minor title

ROSCOMMON captured their 12th Connacht minor football title and first since winning the 2006 All-Ireland title with an easy win over a very disappointing Galway yesterday.

Roscommon wrapped up the issue in the opening half when they were playing against the strong wind but still managed to lead 1-4 to 0-1 at the break.

Galway’s only score came after two minutes from wing-back Cathal Mulryan and they shot seven wides from there to the interval with the elements at their backs.

Roscommon dominated, with man of the match Thomas Corcoran excellent from long-range frees. He was on top in midfield with Fintan Kelly and the physically stronger home side won most of the 50-50 battles.

Impressive corner-forward Donie Smith was a constant threat and after he equalised, Corcoran landed a brace of frees from distance to give Roscommon a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes.

There was really no way back for Galway when Roscommon full-forward Enda Lannon volleyed to the net after Corcoran had burst through and Liam Conlon supplied the final pass for Lannon to spectacularly fire home.

Corcoran landed another free from 30 yards into the wind before the break for Roscommon to lead by 1-4 to 0-1 at the break. Donie Smith extended the Roscommon lead four minutes after the restart but Galway rallied.

Full-forward Shane Maughan, who shot seven wides from play and placed balls, soloed through for a point and corner-forward Conor Rabbitte also found the range to leave it 1-5 to 0-3 after 48 minutes.

But there was little chance of Galway reducing the deficit much more as Roscommon again got on top in midfield and started using the strong wind by delivering long balls.

Smith sent over a superb point from the right and Corcoran delivered another free, this time from 55m, to open up a 1-7 to 0-3 lead after 48 minutes.

Shane Walsh and Smith swapped points before Maughan found the range with a brace of points as the game headed for an inevitable conclusion.

Roscommon sub Kevin Finn, who had earlier seen two efforts sail wide, finally hit the target in stoppage time to ensure a victory by double scores which aptly summed up the difference between the sides in what proved ultimately a disappointing one-sided affair.

Scorers for Roscommon: D Smith 0-4 (2fs), T Corcoran 0-4fs, E Lannon 1-0, T Comer 0-1.

Scorers for Galway: S Maughan 0-3 (1f), C Mulryan, C Rabbitte, S Walsh 0-1 each.

ROSCOMMON: C Lavin; D Murray, R Timothy, S Carty; M Connaughton, J McManus, C Daly; F Kelly, T Corcoran; L Conlon, M Healy, E Smith; D Smith, E Lannon, S Jordan.

Subs: K Finn for Lannon (48), E Egan for E Smith (67), F Sweeney for Jordan (69), T McKenna for Conlon.

GALWAY: C Gleeson; L Silke, J Shaughnessy, C Cunningham; E Walsh, G Canavan, C Mulryan; S Geoghegan, S Moran; P Glynn, I Burke, A Nolan; S Walsh, S Maughan, C Rabbitte.

Subs: J Kelleher for Nolan (23), Nolan for Geoghegan (30), T Comer for Cunningham (53), C Timon for Mulryan (53), G Kelly for Walsh (57).

Referee: R McBrien (Leitrim).