Robert Finnerty leads Galway past Roscommon and into Connacht final

STAR MAN: Robert Finnerty of Galway in action against Pearse Frost of Roscommon during the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship semi-final match between Galway and Roscommon at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Galway 1-24 (1-3-18) Roscommon 0-18 (0-3-12)

For the 10,573-strong crowd in Pearse Stadium, this was never in doubt.

Galway scored first and were never behind. Roscommon rarely troubled them. They blew hard without asking any serious questions. Even the Salthill weather was mild.

Robert Finnerty led the way with eight points as Galway booked a Connacht final date against Mayo in MacHale Park.

In truth, their path to the decider was a stroll. They are now one step away from four provincial crowns in a row.

If the new rules promised absolute chaos, the opening exchanges here showed it isn’t always certain.

Both sides retained over 75% of their own kickouts in the first half. Galway led 1-12 to 0-7 at the turnaround with three two-pointers contributing to the margin. They were controlled and clinical, exposing every Roscommon vulnerability.

In a late change, Seán Mulkerrin started in place of Finnian Ó Laoi and man-marked Enda Smith. That allowed Sean Kelly to operate further up the pitch. It was his punch run that led to Matthew Tierney’s goal.

Mulkerrin went to ground in the square, popped to Kelly who hit the post and the rebound fell perfectly for Tierney.

Davy Burke was an animated figure on the Salthill sideline. A talented front six failed to fire.

It took 40 minutes for a forward other than Ben O’Carroll to score from play - Ciaráin Murtagh curling over a monster kick. As the tie progressed Galway’s monsters in the middle took over. Cein D’Arcy was immense in the air.

Tierney, Matthew Thompson and Robert Finnerty started as their inside trio. All three bested their men.

Paul Conroy wasn’t man-marked when he should have been. He kicked the home side’s third point after a pop inside to Finnerty. A fine delivery found Matthew Tierney for a converted mark.

He turned to the Oughterard star again soon after and ended that play with a terrific score from outside the arc. Another before half-time had Galway eight clear.

In search of a spark, Roscommon sought more orange flags. Both Murtagh brothers landed attempts, Conor Cox, Daire Cregg and Cian McKeon all missed potshots.

Damien Comer came on to a raucous roar before creating Finnerty’s eighth and final point. Gentle applause followed.

Scorers for Galway: R. Finnerty 0-8 (2 frees); M. Tierney 1-3 (0-1 tpf, 0-1 mark); P. Conroy 0-5 (2 tp); C. McDaid 0-3; D. McHugh 0-2, J. Maher 0-2; L. Silke 0-1.

Scorers for Roscommon: D. Murtagh 0-5 (1 tp, 3 frees); C. Murtagh 0-4 (1 tp, 1 f); B. O’Carroll 0-3; D. Smith 0-2 (1 tp); S. Killoran, R. Fallon, C. Neary, S. Lambe 0-1 each.

Galway: C. Gleeson; J. McGrath, S. Fitzgerald, J. Glynn; D. McHugh, L. Silke, S. Mulkerrin; P. Conroy, J. Maher; S. Kelly, C. McDaid, C. D’Arcy; M. Thompson, R. Finnerty, M. Tierney.

Subs: D. Comer for Kelly (57), D. O’Flaherty for McDaid (59), C. Sweeney for McHugh (63), S. O’Neill for Thompson, T. Culhane for Finnerty (67).

Roscommon: C. Carroll; P. Frost, B. Stack, N. Higgins; R. Fallon, D. Murray, C. Neary; E. Nolan, S. Cunnane; U. Harney, C. McKeon, E. Smith; D. Murtagh, B. O’Carroll, C. Murtagh.

Subs: S. Killoran for McKeon (10- 16, temp), K. Doyle for Higgins, D. Cregg for Harney (both half-time), D. Smith for McKeon (43), C. Cox for E. Smith (50), Killoran for Nolan (57, temp), S. Lambe for Neary (62).

Referee: S. Hurson (Tyrone).