WATCH: Roscommon joint captain hails his side’s never say die attitude
Roscommon U-20 joint captain Conor Morris was delighted with his side's never say die attitude as the county reached the All Ireland U20B hurling final for the fourth time in five years.
Roscommon U-20 joint captain Conor Morris has hailed his side’s spirit as the Rossies secured their place in the All Ireland U-20B hurling final for the fourth time in five years.
Morris told the Roscommon Herald that the win was big for hurling in the county.
“Roscommon hurling needs that. People wouldn’t have been expecting us to do much with that team but that is a great group of lads. They have great heart and great hurlers too. That showed too."
“I missed a free towards the end (of normal time) but they kept plugging away and a point down at half time (of extra time) and they kept going. A serious group of lads to be fair to them.”
John Benton’s side booked their passport to the final the hard way as they came through a ferocious battle that required extra time to separate the sides.
First half goals from Gavin Staunton, Conor Morris and David Mannion had Roscommon 3-2 to 0-9 up after the first period of normal time.
But eight opening half wides meant Tyrone were still firm favourites with the wind in their favour upon the resumption of play. They appeared on course to set up an all Ulster final with Derry when Shea Munroe netted just two minutes into the final period.
However, despite playing against an ever increasing gale, Roscommon bagged 1-3 without reply as Staunton grabbed his second goal. But, despite a strong battling display from Roscommon, they became increasingly penned in as Tyrone bagged six of the next seven scores to lead by a point approaching injury time.
Oisín Finneran equalised the contest at 4-7 to 1-16 while in a frenetic finish to normal time, Conor Morris saw a long range free drop short while another drifted just wide.
Once more, Roscommon appeared in trouble in extra time when they were unable to score in the first period despite enjoying the aid of the elements. Shea Munroe’s score left Tyrone 1-17 to 4-7 ahead at the break.
An Aidan Woods free moved Tyrone two up but Morris took over. He grabbed two quick scores to tie the game before his long range effort flew to the net.
Tyrone piled forward in search of a goal to bring the contest to penalties but Morris’ free deep in injury time sealed a terrific win for Roscommon hurling.
Roscommon will face Derry in the Richie McElligott Cup final on the weekend of May 2/3.
*Full report in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
