Roscommon ‘Master’ Kerry and the elements to reach All Ireland final

The Roscommon Masters Football team have reached the All Ireland final after overcoming Kerry 1-5 to 0-7 in Clarecastle, Co. Clare.

Anthony Carroll’s men defied the odds to defeat last year’s finalists as they will now face the reigning champions Tyrone in the All Ireland decider.

Roscommon opted to play against the stiff breeze in the opening half but held their own with early efforts from Brian Higgins and Ross Nolan seeing them level after the first quarter.

Despite Tom McGoldrick moving Kerry 0-3 to 0-2 in front after 16 minutes, Roscommon struck for a crucial goal when Ronan Cox and Sean Ryan traded passes before the former produced a terrific finish to the bottom corner of the net.

Roscommon conceded cheap frees towards the end of the first half as three John O’Connor points, two frees, saw Kerry lead 0-6 to 1-2 ahead at the interval.

The men in primrose and blue were left frustrated when referee Pat Keane decided not to award a penalty as Cox was felled inside the square, but they built upon their strong defensive platform as Ryan, Higgins and Cox all kicked quality scores.

Kerry responded with an O’Connor punched point for his side’s only score of the final half as Roscommon produced an heroic display to book a final spot against a Tyrone side going for their fourth All Ireland title in a row.