Roscommon have bowed out of the last Connacht Under 21 Football Championship following a 0-13 to 1-13 defeat to Sligo in Kiltoom.
Roscommon started well and were first on the scoreboard courtesy of a John Gannon point from play in the second minute. It took a further six minutes for Sligo to register their first score – a pointed free from Paddy O’Connor. Hubert Darcy put Roscommon ahead via a free in the 10th minute before Sligo kicked two in a row to lead for the first time. In between those two points Shane Mannion pulled off an excellent save to keep the home side in contention.
Late in the half Roscommon hit a purple patch scoring four unanswered points. Two Hubert Darcy Frees as well as points from Jamie Fahy and Cian McKeon left the half-time score at Roscommon 0-6 Sligo 0-4.
Sligo opened the second half scoring via a Paddy O’Connor free but it was cancelled out moment later by a Shane Mannion free. Sligo then began to dominate, scoring 1-6 with the goal coming from a flick-on by Jodie O’Reilly. Roscommon’s only reply during that time came from Cian McKeon.
With 13 minutes remaining Sligo led by 1-11 to 0-8. Roscommon Captain Hubert Darcy steadied the ship with a free in the 49th minute and that was followed by two frees from Cian McKeon. A Jason Perry pointed extended Sligo’s advantage but it was cancelled out by Hubert Darcy’s fifth free of the evening.
In the last moments of normal time Brian Stack shot wide after a darting through the Sligo defence.
Six Minutes of injury time were announced and shortly after Sean Carrbine put Sligo into a 1-13 to 0-12 lead. Brian Kelly responded with a point but it was too little too late.
It ended Roscommon 0-13 Sligo 1-13.
Scorers: Hubert Darcy (0-5)(5F), Cian McKeon 0-4 (2F), Shane Mannion (1F),
John Gannon, Brian Kelly, Jamie Fahy (0-1) each.
Team: Shane Mannion (St Brigids); Jack Connaughton (Clann na nGael), Keelan Beirne (Strokestown), Mark Richardson (Padraig Pearses); Sean Conroy (Western Gaels), Aengus Lyons (St Ciarans / Fuerty), Lorcan Daly (Padraig Pearses); Gearoid Keenan (Oran), Hubert Darcy (C) (Padraig Pearses); 10. Brian Stack (St Brigids), John Gannon (Kilmore), Conor Payne (Padraig Pearses); Brian Kelly (Roscommon Gaels), Cian McKeon (Boyle), Jamie Fahy (Clann na nGael).
Subs used: Cathal Callinan (Clann na nGael) for Fahy, James Featherston (Roscommon Gaels) for Keenan, Aidan Brogan (St Croans) for Gannon, Tom Butler (Padraig Pearses) for Payne