Roscommon 2-12
Armagh 1-14
ROSCOMMON HAVE WON the Nicky Rackard Cup for the second time as Michael Kelly struck in the dying embers at Croke Park to seal the narrowest of wins over Armagh.
With his side trailing by two points with time running out, Kelly fired in a free past Simon Doherty to spark scenes of unbridled joy for the Westerners at HQ.
Justin Campbell’s side had been reduced to 14 men when substitute Cathal Kelly saw red with a little over ten minutes remaining but they stuck at their task and got their just rewards to lift the trophy for the first time since 2007.
It was a game of see-sawing dominion in the capital with both sides exchanging scores at regular intervals but it was Armagh who held a slender advantage at the break.
The Orchard County pulled five points clear after the interval as they looked to win a record third title but Roscommon persevered and scores from John Moran and Jionni Coyne reduced the deficit before Kelly’s heroics.
Meanwhile, in the Lory Meagher Cup final, Fermanagh ultimately prevailed, comfortably beating Sligo 3-16 to 1-17.