Super sub Kilcline guides Roscommon to Connacht final

Ruairi Kilcline’s 1-2 after being summoned from the bench proved vital in Roscommon turning the tables on Galway and booking a Connacht final berth against Mayo.

For the first time since 2008, there will be a repeat pairing in the Connacht U-20 decider as Mayo and Roscommon lock horns in Tuam Stadium on Wednesday next.

Roscommon didn’t lead this game until Kilcline’s 51st minute goal but despite being on the backfoot for the first 40 odd minutes of this game, Cian Smith’s side were always within striking range. Their accuracy will need to improve after kicking 12 wides but Roscommon took charge of the middle third battleground before Kilcline showed his class as Roscommon secured a sweet triumph.

Roscommon enjoyed the ideal start when Conor Grogan stroked over a sweet left footed strike to get his side off the mark inside the opening 60 seconds. From there Galway gradually gained a degree of control as the ever impressive Cian Mitchell got his side off the mark to kickstart a run of five points without reply, a scoring burst that concluded with a Mikey Mulryan two-pointer.

Roscommon showed they possessed a goal threat, primarily when Eoghan Carthy stepped forward with possession in tow. The first chance at a major came when he picked out a sweet ball to Eoin Collins, who declined the pass across goal to Cathal Enright before seeing his shot blocked by McGlinchey.

Just 60 seconds later, the ever lively John Curran jinked his way along the endline before smacking a shot off the bottom of the post with the ball subsequently rebounding out and hitting Galway goalkeeper Brian Carroll before trickling just outside the post.

Roscommon’s persistence paid as in the 14th minute, Carthy shrugged off the challenge of McGlinchey before finding John McGuinness, who slammed high to the roof of the net. A Charlie O’Carroll free briefly levelled the contest for the second time but Galway were far more economical up front in a first half where Roscommon kicked six wides.

A run of four scores without reply, started by Mulryan’s classy left footed effort gave Galway momentum before efforts from Grogan and Cathal McKeon left Roscommon just 0-9 to 1-4 behind at half time.

After a quiet opening half, Ross Coen burst into life at the start of the second period, as he notched over a hat trick of points within the first three minutes of the final period. Roscommon almost found the perfect response when Carthy set O’Carroll through but the St. Brigid’s man was thwarted by Brian Carroll, before tapping over a free after being dragged back in the lead up.

An Eoin Collins score and an O’Carroll tap over free left Roscommon just 0-12 to 1-7 behind. Roscommon dominated the Galway kickout for the latter half of the third quarter as an O’Carroll free cut the deficit further before sub Ruairí Kilcline pirouetted and slotted over to tie the game.

Even though a Mulryan free inched Galway in front, Roscommon inflicted the ultimately fatal blow as McKeon’s dangerous high ball was forced to the net by Kilcline to give Roscommon a 2-9 to 0-13 lead. Kilcline slotted over a classy right footed effort but Richard McGrath grabbed Galway’s first score from play in 25 minutes to set up a tense finish. Mulryan added another layer of tension with a left footed effort with two and a half minutes of injury time remaining.

Late misses by Eoghan Carthy and Cathal Enright only furthered the Roscommon supporters' angst but Roscommon held on to secure a Connacht final berth.

*Full report and reaction in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*