Roscommon sweep aside Leitrim to reach Connacht U-20 final
Shane McGinley was in outstanding form for the Roscommon U-20 footballers this evening. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
Roscommon produced their most accomplished attacking display of this year’s Connacht U-20 Football Championship to sweep Leitrim aside and qualify for this year’s provincial final at Seán O’Heslin Memorial Park, Ballinamore.
While Roscommon were superb, Sligo’s 0-14 to 0-9 win against Mayo enabled Noel Dunning’s side reach the final as a result of better scoring difference against Galway, who will now meet Sligo in the semi-final.
For all this team’s strong points, especially over last two games when their sheer will and resilience eked out draws against Sligo and Galway to add to the high-scoring stalemate against Mayo in the opening round, the "Primrose and Blue" made use of the better conditions this evening to showcase their creative instincts.
Shane McGinley was imperious once more and when he added a second goal soon after Niall O’Donnell netted the first coming up to half time, the game was turned on its head.
McGinley (free) and Ryan Conlon took the sting out of Leitrim expectations early on, but those Leitrim hopes were right back on track when Ben Guckian raised a green flag after ten minutes.
But Roscommon, especially McGinley, were in the mood and three efforts from the Strokestown player alongside a mark from Bobby Nugent allowed the visitors regain the initiative, 0-6 to 1-1.
Two Paul Honeyman frees brought Leitrim back on level terms by the 22nd minute, but Roscommon were soon to make their decisive burst for the knockout stages.
A quickfire 1-1 from Niall O’Donnell — son of former Roscommon captain and manager, Fergal — was followed by another goal from McGinley after he was teed up by Nugent to leave the Rossies very much on control, leading by 2-7 to 1-3 at the break.
Roscommon always controlled the second half with Shane Walsh, Ryan Dowling and Rory Carthy coming off the bench to add to their side’s tally.
Paul Honeyman’s goal gave Leitrim a brief lift but Bobby Nugent’s instant reply for his side’s third goal allowed Roscommon round off the group stages in style.
ROSCOMMON: S. Allen; E. Kerins, D. Casey, D. Hagney; J. McGreal, S. Lambe, E. Carthy; C. Ryan, J. Connolly; B. Nugent (1-3, one mark), R. Heneghan, R. Hester (0-1); S. McGinley (1-7, six frees, one ’45), R. Conlon (0-1), N. O’Donnell (1-1). Subs used: C. Harley for Hagney (half-time), S. Walsh (0-1) for Conlon (39 mins), E. O’Reilly for McGreal (42 mins), R. Dowling (0-1) for O’Donnell (46 mins), R. Carthy (0-1, a free) for Hester (50 mins).
LEITRIM: B. Cull; A. Oberwan, T. Hughes, E. McNamara; P. Keane, J. Foley, M. McBrien; B. McNulty (0-1, a free), B. Guckian (1-1); D. Cox, P. Moran, J. Casey (0-1); J. Tobin, P. Honeyman (1-3, three frees), N. McManus. Subs used: T. Plunkett for Moran (32 mins), J. McGloin for Casey (43 mins), R. Cunningham for Hughes (52 mins), K. Maguire for McNamara (52 mins).
Referee: J. Henry (Mayo).
