A point from Lorcan Daly in the sixth minute of additional time secured a place for Roscommon Minor Footballers in Wednesday’s Electric Ireland Connacht Championship Semi-Final.
Roscommon showed great character from the outset and they had to, as they trailed by 1-2 to no score after just six minutes. The cause was not helped when Captain Aidan Dowd received a harsh Black Card. Roscommon’s first point came from Boyle’s Cian McKeon in the 11th minute and was followed two minutes later by a point from Ciarain Lennon. Within a minute Sligo had extended their lead with another point but it was cancelled out by a point from James Featherstone a minute later. The next 15 minutes was dominated by both defences and play was stopped for nine minutes due to an injury. The only score during this period was a point from Sligo’ Sean Carrabine. He added another in the last minute of normal time but then Roscommon sparked into life. Points from Keith Murphy, Daniel Glynn, Cian McKeon and James Featherstone meant that Roscommon just trailed by a point a half-time; 0-7 to 1-5.
Better start to the Second Half
Roscommon equalised with the first score of the second half; another point from Cian McKeon. Daniel Glynn then put Roscommon into the lead but it was short lived as Sligo scored their second goal of the game. Sligo added another point in the 33rd minute to put three between the teams again. Scores were at a premium throughout the 18 minutes that followed, which also included an injury stoppage. Sligo will have been particularly disappointed as throughout the second half four of their shots dropped short and into the hands of keeper Liam Cregg. Lorcan Daly pointed in the 45th minute and Keith Murphy reduced Sligo’s lead to a point in the 51st minute. Sean Carrabine and Roscommon substitute Callum Fahey traded points in the 55th minute and in the last minute of normal time Ciarain Lennon struck the equaliser. The Fourth Official indicated that a minimum of Minutes of additional time would be played and it was action packed. Sligo had the chance to take the lead from a free in the 73rd minute but couldn’t convert. Three minutes later Lorcan Daly took his chance and pointed from play to book Roscommon’s place in Wednesday’s Semi-Final.
Final score:
Roscommon 0-14 Sligo 2-7.
Man of the Match: Keith Murphy (Strokestown)
The Semi-Final against Galway, will be played in Kiltoom on Wednesday at 7:30pm.
Team and scorers
1 Liam Cregg, Micheal Glaveys
2 Adam Whyte, St. Ciarans
3 Aidan Dowd, Western Gaels (Captain)
4 Damien Duff, Clann na nGael
5 Lorcan Daly, Padraig Pearses (0-2)
6 Sean Fallon, Clann na nGael
7 James Fetherstone, Roscommon Gaels (0-2)
8 Luke Mollahan, Elphin
9 Conor Shanagher, Kilbride
10 Keith Murphy, Strokestown (0-2)
11 Daniel Glynn, Padraig Pearses (0-2)
12 Michael McGloin, St. Dominics
13 Cathal Heneghan, Michael Glaveys
14 Ciarán Lennon, Clann na nGael (0-2)
15 Cian McKeon, Boyle (0-3)
Subs used
Pauric Halpin (St Barrys), for A. Dowd (Black Card).
Matthew Bourke (Shannon Gaels), for Heneghan.
Niall Murray (St Brigids), for Mollahan.
Callum Fahey (Tulsk) (0-1), for Bourke.
Ronan Dowd (St Ciarans) for Murphy.