Roscommon 2-13
Leitrim 1- 11
LEITRIM’S HOPES OF a first Connacht championship in 16 years were crushed in today’s semi-final meeting with Roscommon.
Having defeated Galway, Mayo and Roscommon in winning this year’s Connacht minor league; Leitrim came to the Hyde full of confidence.
Enda Lyons and his team needed every last bit of that confidence as Noel Gately buried an early goal for the Rossies.
Despite the setback Leitrim would go point for point with Roscommon, before Hubert Darcy added a second goal. His chance created by young centre forward Luke Carty – a younger brother of Connacht rugby player and former Roscommon minor Jack Carthy.
Fergal O’Donnell’s side were expecting a tough encounter with Leitrim, so there was little surprise when they replied instantly with a goal of their own. A goal which proved to swing the balance for Lyons’ team, who added three points to go in at the break ahead, 1-7 to 2-3.
While Leitrim would add on the first two scores of the second-half, a string of points mid-way through the second 35 minutes nudged Roscommon ahead. The Rossies’ early goal proved crucial and they were able to introduce fresh legs and build a four point winning lead.
They now face All-Ireland champions Mayo in the Connacht final.
Roscommon
1. Shane Mannion – St Brigid’s
2. Jack Casey – Oran
3. Brian Stack - St Brigid’s
4. Martin Flannery - Clann na nGael
5. Fergal Lennon - Clann na nGael
6. Evan McGrath – Boyle
7. Eoin Fallon – St Aidan’s
8. Tom Butler – Padraig Pearses
9. Ronan Raftery – Castlrea
10. David Connaughton - Clann na nGael
11. Luke Carty - St Brigid’s
12. Killian Bannon - Clann na nGael
13. Noel Gately – St Ciaran’s
14. Hubert Darcy - Padraig Pearses
15. Kevin Smyth – St Croans
Leitrim
1. Michael Gallagher
2. James Mitchell
3. Philip Dolan
4. David Mulvey
5. Oisin Madden
6. Alan McTague
7. Dean McGovern
8. Mark Plunkett
9. Conor Cullen
10. Conor Gaffney
11. Keith Keegan
12. Ryan O’Rourke
13. Peter Reynolds
14. Gary Fowley
15. Luke Murphy
