Pure magic as inspired Rossies reel in Galway for first Connacht crown since 2019
THREE AND EASY: Darragh Heneghan of Roscommon after scoring his side's third goal during the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship final match between Roscommon and Galway at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Roscommon 3-21 (3-4-13) Galway 2-22 (2-6-10
Finally. In the end, it was pure magic. The late two-pointers, the first Connacht title since 2019, the primrose and blue all over the field. Roscommon saw off a five-in-a-row chasing Galway by two points.
A magnificent contest played out in front of a 22,799 crowd. It confirms a clean sweep for Roscommon who had already won the minor and U20 Connacht titles this year.
Darragh Heneghan was electric throughout and finished with 2-2 before limping off. Captain Diarmuid Murtagh came good when needed with a clutch free from outside the arc.
Despite playing with a stiff wind, Galway’s half-time advantage was just three. It was a tactical opener and a thrilling one too.
In a late change, the defending champions brought in Ryan Roche and Kieran Molloy. Roche created a goal in the opening minute with a layoff to Robert Finnerty after a long kick by Cein D’Arcy. Kieran Molloy took on Enda Smith man-marking duties.
Liam Silke went back to Diarmuid Murtagh while at the other end, Keogh was on Finnerty and Patrick Gavin took Shane Walsh.
With an early green flag delivered, Galway went all-in on twos. They attempted nine and converted five. Paul Conroy lurked on the arc and swung freely. Walsh did similar. Even Molloy got in on the act. They had to run up a lead and make Roscommon chase. Oh boy, can this side chase.
Their pace was frightening. Darragh Heneghan and Colm Neary roared forward with venom. Galway were eight up when Heneghan went for goal with 21 minutes played. Conor Flaherty’s first save was outstanding but he could do nothing to stop Robert Heneghan’s rebound.
So it continued. Colm Neary teed up Darragh Heneghan for their second goal. For a man who can move at breakneck speed, the Michael Glaveys clubman showed immense poise to pick his spot and roll it in off the laces.
This threat had a sizeable home support captivated. Heneghan could see the path to becoming the hero. His second goal came with 45 minutes played. At that stage, Galway had swapped Jack Glynn onto him instead of Dylan McHugh. It proved futile.
Like all great deciders, it was time for the county’s titans to stand tall. Damien Comer came on and pointed. Walsh kicked a two-pointer off the deck. Daire Cregg made his return after missing the semi-final due to suspension.
A magnificent Comer goal looked to have swung it, but Roscommon produced an awesome late burst. Cregg kicked a spectacular two as they hit the last five scores. Carey instigated that run from outside the arc and Murtagh escalated it with a free.
Walsh had one final chance to equalise but it drifted outside the right post. With that, came a thunderous roar.
D. Heneghan 2-2; D. Murtagh 0-7 (2f, 1tpf); D. Cregg 0-3 (1 tp, 1f); R. Heneghan 1-0; C. Ryan 0-3 (tp); P. Carey 0-2 (tp); C. Carroll (45), D. Ruane, S. Lambe, K. Doyle 0-1 each.
S. Walsh 0-9 (2 tp, 1tpf, 1f, 1 45) ; D. Comer 1-2; P. Conroy 0-4 (2tp); R. Finnerty 1-1; K. Molloy 0-2 (tp), S. Kelly 0-2; C. D’Arcy, D. McHugh 0-1 each.
C. Carroll; P. Gavin, C. Keogh, E. McCormack; E. Ward, R. Daly, S. Lambe; K. Doyle, C. Ryan; D. Ruane, E. Smith, D. Heneghan; D. Murtagh, C. Neary, R. Heneghan.
D. Cregg for R. Heneghan (46); R. Fallon for Ward (50); P. Carey for Gavin (56); C. Hand for Neary (62); S. Cunnane for Ryan (64); C. McKeon for D. Heneghan (65, temp).
C. Flaherty; J. McGrath, L. Silke, J. Glynn; D. McHugh, K. Molloy, S. Kelly; P. Conroy, J. Maher; D. O’Flaherty, C. McDaid, C. D’Arcy; R. Finnerty, R. Roche, S. Walsh.
F. Ó Laoi for O’Flaherty (half-time); D. Comer for Roche (41); C. Hernon for Conroy, J. Daly for Molloy (both 50); M. Tierney for Finnerty (59); S. McGrath for McDaid (60 – Inj).
S. Hurson (Tyrone).
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