Rampant Roscommon secure All Ireland glory
Helena Cummins lifts the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup after Roscommon were crowned All Ireland Intermediate LGFA champions for the first time since 2005. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
Roscommon were crowned TG4 All Ireland Intermediate champions for the first time since 2005 as Aisling Feely’s two opening half goals set the winners on their way.
Roscommon laid the foundations in the opening half as they powered 2-7 to 0-2 ahead at half time following a first half display filled with sharp movement up front, control of both sets of kickouts and a tigerish defensive display with sweeper Saoirse Wynne in particular impressing.
Finbar Egan's side were tremendous across the park with Wynne securing the official Player of the Match award. It says much about Roscommon's display that there were contenders for that gong in every sector of the field. Ella Thompson was magnificent once more as she kicked two points but it was her ability to break the lines that caught the eye most.
Feely was terrific in the opening period in particular as her 2-2 gave Roscommon a half time advantage that they never appeared likely to lose. Caoimhe Lennon added three points of her own in another eye catching display with the Clann clubwoman finishing as Roscommon's top scorer in 2026 with a mammoth tally of 10-20 accrued between league and championship.
Aine Connaughton showed her class once more at full back where she limited Fermanagh's scorer in chief Eimear Smyth to a point from play while Áine McGrath was tremendous in frustrating Fermanagh at every turn.
Finbar Egan and his management team deserve enormous credit for the way they have revived Roscommon's fortunes following an underwhelming league campaign and a chastening Connacht final defeat to Leitrim. This success was stunning not just in its magnitude in the ease in which Roscommon dealt with Fermanagh's challenge.
This has been an unprecedented year for ladies football within the county with two All Ireland titles returning west of the Shannon while the county's minors reached the All Ireland A final for the first time since 1991. Heady times indeed!
Unsurprisingly the early stages of this contest were nervy as Aisling Feely got Roscommon off the mark with a classy right footed effort. But, Fermanagh managed to respond through a converted free from sharpshooter Eimear Smyth. From there Roscommon made their move as 2-4 without reply allowed Finbar Egan’s charges take firm control of the contest.
A Caoimhe Lennon effort, after excellent work by Laura Mannion, proved the spark that ignited the Roscommon flame as they excelled in every sector of the field. A further Caoimhe Lennon effort pushed Roscommon 0-3 to 0-1 and when Aisling Feely turned over Áine Haren’s resulting kickout and finished to the net, Roscommon were purring.
That goal kickstarted a run of 2-1 in six minutes for Feely as she latched on to Abby Curran’s through ball before her long range effort found the roof of the net. An Eimear Smyth free ended Roscommon’s scoring barrage but Finbar Egan’s charges were not perturbed as Niamh Feeney and Curran efforts pushed Roscommon 11 points clear at half time.
Roscommon produced a deft second half display as they controlled possession yet always carried a strong threat in attack. Sub Lauren Shanagher impressed upon her introduction as she twice went close to netting while fellow replacement Ria Lennon executed an excellent turnover that allowed Caoimhe Lennon to open the second half scoring.
Ella Thompson bagged a score her all action performance merited while Laura Mannion arrowed over a free to push Roscommon 2-10 to 0-2 in front. To their credit Fermanagh continued to battle as Eimear Smyth bagged three late scores (two frees) while Cliodhna Martin also slotted over.
But there was no doubting Roscommon’s superiority as they ensured their first Croke Park appearance in 25 years ended with them lifting the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup.
Scorers – Roscommon: A Feely 2-2, C Lennon 0-3, E Thompson 0-2, N Feeney, A Curran, K Nolan, L Mannion (1f), L Shanagher 0-1 each.
Fermanagh: E Smyth 0-5 (4f), C Martin 0-1.
ROSCOMMON: H Cummins; M McKeon, A Connaughton, Á McGrath; N Feeney, S Wynne, E Thompson; R Cox, A Curran; K Nolan, E Irwin, L Mannion; Róise Lennon, A Feely, C Lennon.
Subs: L Shanagher for Róise Lennon (36), Ria Lennon for K Nolan (41), R Fitzmaurice for L. Mannion (47), N Watson for N Feeney (54), R Brady for A Connaughton (57).
FERMANAGH: Á Haren; S McQuade, C Breen, A O’Brien; CC Bogue, S McCarville, B Bannon; A McCarney, J Doonan; S Britton, N McManus, S Barrett; B Smyth, E Smyth, C McGarrigle.
Subs: C Gallagher for C McGarrigle (33), C Breen for B Smyth (43), E Carrigan for B Bannon (47), C Martin for A McCarney (47), M Mulligan for N McManus (56)
Referee: Kevin Phelan (Laois).
Full report, reaction and pictures from Roscommon's All Ireland final success in Tuesday's Roscommon Herald
