Roscommon CBS reach Connacht final
The Roscommon CBS team that beat St. Killian's New Inn in the Connacht Senior C Hurling semi final. Picture: Roscommon CBS.
Roscommon CBS secured their place in the Connacht Senior C hurling final this afternoon as they overcame a gritty St. Killian's New Inn.
Although Roscommon CBS outscored their foes 1-7 to 0-4 after the interval, the foundations for this victory were laid when they led by two points at half time having played against a stiff breeze.
St. Killian’s will rue seven opening half wides with the wind at their backs but in truth, Roscommon CBS possessed the guile in attack and robustness in defence to keep their New Inn opponents at bay in this physical affair.
It was the Galway side who enjoyed the perfect start as full forward Conor O’Neill saw his long range effort fly to the net inside the opening 30 seconds. Yet, Roscommon CBS were not perturbed as a Colm Fitzgerald free got them off the mark before Ronan Carr latched on to an excellent Ciarán Mulry pass to rifle to the net.
St. Killian’s were struggling to convert possession into guilt edged chances while Roscommon CBS troubled their foes with their runs from deep. One such surge saw Fitzgerald split St. Killian’s open before finding the bottom left corner of the net.
The Galway side battled away with Aaron Tracey accurate from frees while Sean Óg Dolan struck over a classy effort on the run. Yet, Fitzgerald’s potency from frees and open play helped his side lead 2-5 to 1-6 at half time.
That advantage was wiped out nine minutes into the final period after Tracey (free) and O’Neill slotted over. From there until the finish however Roscommon CBS took command.
Fitzgerald edged his side back in front from a ’65 before dispatching a penalty after Colin Murray was fouled.
Murray struck over two superb scores in the final half while Fitzgerald kept the scoreboard moving as Roscommon CBS set up an intriguing Connacht final with Clonfert College.
*Full report in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
