Roscommon end wait for U-21 title

Roscommon 1-6 Sligo 0-4, Markievicz Park

Roscommon claimed their first Cadbury's Connacht Under-21 Football title since 1999, following a hard-earned 1-6 to 0-4 win over Sligo at Markievicz Park this evening.

Jimmy Gacquin's charges only led by 0-5 to 0-4 with four minutes remaining, but produced a sterling finish to ensure an impressive victory and deny Sligo a first ever provincial success.

The visitors led by 0-5 to 0-3 at the interval, but scores were at a premium for both sides on the restart.

Just one point was scored in a 26-minute spell after the break, as wind-assisted Sligo cut the gap to the minimum with David Maye slotting over a free.

Roscommon were guilty of 10 wides by the 45th minute, but sought to make amends in the closing stages and bounced back impressively.

A 57th minute goal from substitute Alan O'Hara sparked the game back into life and pushed Roscommon into a four-point lead.

Corner forward Darren McDermott had his initial shot expertly saved by Sligo goalkeeper Brian McGovern, but O'Hara pounced with his fist to finish to the net.

And the visitors confirmed their sixth provincial title win thanks to a Kevin Higgins point in injury-time, following an excellent passing move.

Roscommon will meet the winners of tomorrow's Leinster decider between Dublin and Westmeath, in the All-Ireland U-21 semi-final.