Daly delivers final spot for Rossies
Roscommon are through to a fifth successive Connacht U21 decider, but not without a struggle, as they needed Conor Daly’s flicked 53rd minute goal to set up a two point win over Sligo at Markievicz Park on Saturday.
The winners had stars in midfielder Shane Killoran, who shot 0-3, and corner-forward Diarmuid Murtagh, scorer of four points.
Battling Sligo made Roscommon’s passage to the decider against Leitrim uncomfortable, however, thanks to Cian Breheny’s fisted goal after 55 minutes.
Breheny also pointed twice in the last five minutes and the second of these, three minutes into added time, was a wonderful goal chance that would have forced extra-time.
Sligo full-forward Niall Murphy, who contributed five points, was named player of the match. He scored 0-3 in the first period as Sligo trailed 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval.
Scorers for Sligo: N Murphy (0-5, 1f), C Breheny (1-2), J Kelly (0-1, 1f), C Kerins (0-1, 1f), S Kilcoyne (0-1, 1f).
Scorers for Roscommon: D Murtagh (0-4, 1f), S Killoran (0-3), C Daly (1-0), E Smith (0-1), D Smith (0-1), C Kilcline (0-1), D Murray (0-1), C Kenny (0-1).
SLIGO: V Cadden, E Flanagan, B Walsh, M Gordon, C Surlis, K McDonnell, E Connolly, R Connolly, B Smith, J Kelly, C Davey, C Breheny, G Cadden, N Murphy, C Kerins.
Subs: S Kilcoyne for G Cadden, 42; K Henry for C Davey, 45; S Curley for J Kelly, 51 (black card); D Long for C Kerins, 59.
ROSCOMMON: C Lavin, D Murray, S Mullooly, C Kenny, C Daly, F Kelly, J McManus, S Killoran, T Corcoran, C Kilcline, M Healy, E Smith, D Murtagh, K Finn, D Smith.
Subs: M Nally for K Finn, 21; J Earley for C Kilcline, 54; A Gleeson for D Murtagh, 58; F Sweeney for F Kelly, 59; T Featherston for J McManus, 60 (black card).
Referee: James Molloy (Galway).
