FIRST-HALF GOALS from Cian Monahan and Tomo Culhane helped Galway to a second Connacht U20 football title in a row and into an All-Ireland semi-final with Kerry on St Patrick’s Day.
Even with a strong wind at their back Roscommon were second best in the first half, while further goals from Ryan Monahan and Jonathan McGrath ensured Galway’s progress after the break.
With a vicious wind blowing straight down the pitch it seemed as if Roscommon’s win of the toss and decision to play with the wind was a significant moment, and when Ciaran Lawless pointed from outside the 45 in the opening minute it looked like we were set for one-way traffic.
Instead, the 2015 champions began to overplay the ball around midfield and they were reluctant to kick points from distance. By half time they had accumulated six wides, with at least half of those coming from overcooked passes into the forward line.
At the other end Galway’s tactics were perfect: they carried the ball well out of defence, kept their deliveries low to the ground, and they moved the ball quickly through the hands and the chances soon arrived.
Matthew Tierney levelled matters with a very tough free into the wind, and midway through the first half the key score of the game arrived. Cathal Sweeney’s long solo run launched the attack for Galway, while an exchange of passes involving Culhane and Alan Greene resulted in a cracking goal from Culhane.
Three minutes later they repeated the dose when Culhane battled hard to force a turnover. Again the pass was crisp from Ryan Monahan, before Culhane laid on the final pass for Cian Monahan’s goal and a 2-1 to 0-1 lead.
After neglecting the chance to shoot from distance for 20 minutes Roscommon began to play with conditions again. Paul McManus clipped over a lovely point from 50 metres, while Darragh Walsh and McManus found the target before the interval.
Culhane takes aim for his goal. Tom O'Hanlon / INPHO
Tom O'Hanlon / INPHO / INPHO
There was time for a Culhane free and a super score from Tony Gill as Galway led 2-3 to 0-4 at the break, and shortly after the restart Matthew Tierney stretched that lead with a 45.
Any doubts over who would win out were extinguished in the third minute of the half when Matthew Cooley’s shot hit the post, and quickest to the rebound, Ryan Monahan, hit the net with a low shot.
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A fourth goal came Galway’s way in the 37th minute when McGrath’s shot from long range slipped under the crossbar.
There was no stopping Galway with that cushion and the impressive Ryan Monahan, sub Eoin Mannion and Cathal Sweeney added to the runaway victory in the closing stages.
Scorers for Galway: Ryan Monahan 1-2, Tomo Culhane 1-1 (1f), Cian Monahan 1-0, Jonathan McGrath 1-0, Matthew Tierney 0-4 (2f, 1’45), Cathal Sweeney 0-3, Tony Gill 0-1, Alan Greene 0-1, Eoin Mannion 0-1
Scorers for Roscommon: Paul McManus 0-2, Darragh Walsh 0-1, Ciaran Lawless 0-1, Thomas O’Rourke 0-1 (1f),
GALWAY:
1 Conor Flaherty (Claregalway)
2 Jonathan McGrath (Caherlistrane)
3 Seán Fitzgerald (Bearna)
4 Jack Glynn (c) (Claregalway)
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Four-goal Galway beat Roscommon to claim second straight Connacht U20 title
Galway 4-13
Roscommon 0-5
Declan Rooney at Tuam Stadium
FIRST-HALF GOALS from Cian Monahan and Tomo Culhane helped Galway to a second Connacht U20 football title in a row and into an All-Ireland semi-final with Kerry on St Patrick’s Day.
Even with a strong wind at their back Roscommon were second best in the first half, while further goals from Ryan Monahan and Jonathan McGrath ensured Galway’s progress after the break.
With a vicious wind blowing straight down the pitch it seemed as if Roscommon’s win of the toss and decision to play with the wind was a significant moment, and when Ciaran Lawless pointed from outside the 45 in the opening minute it looked like we were set for one-way traffic.
Instead, the 2015 champions began to overplay the ball around midfield and they were reluctant to kick points from distance. By half time they had accumulated six wides, with at least half of those coming from overcooked passes into the forward line.
At the other end Galway’s tactics were perfect: they carried the ball well out of defence, kept their deliveries low to the ground, and they moved the ball quickly through the hands and the chances soon arrived.
Matthew Tierney levelled matters with a very tough free into the wind, and midway through the first half the key score of the game arrived. Cathal Sweeney’s long solo run launched the attack for Galway, while an exchange of passes involving Culhane and Alan Greene resulted in a cracking goal from Culhane.
Three minutes later they repeated the dose when Culhane battled hard to force a turnover. Again the pass was crisp from Ryan Monahan, before Culhane laid on the final pass for Cian Monahan’s goal and a 2-1 to 0-1 lead.
After neglecting the chance to shoot from distance for 20 minutes Roscommon began to play with conditions again. Paul McManus clipped over a lovely point from 50 metres, while Darragh Walsh and McManus found the target before the interval.
There was time for a Culhane free and a super score from Tony Gill as Galway led 2-3 to 0-4 at the break, and shortly after the restart Matthew Tierney stretched that lead with a 45.
Any doubts over who would win out were extinguished in the third minute of the half when Matthew Cooley’s shot hit the post, and quickest to the rebound, Ryan Monahan, hit the net with a low shot.
A fourth goal came Galway’s way in the 37th minute when McGrath’s shot from long range slipped under the crossbar.
There was no stopping Galway with that cushion and the impressive Ryan Monahan, sub Eoin Mannion and Cathal Sweeney added to the runaway victory in the closing stages.
Scorers for Galway: Ryan Monahan 1-2, Tomo Culhane 1-1 (1f), Cian Monahan 1-0, Jonathan McGrath 1-0, Matthew Tierney 0-4 (2f, 1’45), Cathal Sweeney 0-3, Tony Gill 0-1, Alan Greene 0-1, Eoin Mannion 0-1
Scorers for Roscommon: Paul McManus 0-2, Darragh Walsh 0-1, Ciaran Lawless 0-1, Thomas O’Rourke 0-1 (1f),
GALWAY:
1 Conor Flaherty (Claregalway)
2 Jonathan McGrath (Caherlistrane)
3 Seán Fitzgerald (Bearna)
4 Jack Glynn (c) (Claregalway)
5 Cian Monahan (Oughterard)
6 Tony Gill (Corofin)
7 Cathal Sweeney (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
12 Paul Kelly (Magh Cuilinn)
9 James McLaughlin (Maigh Cuilinn)
8 Conor Raftery (Glenamaddy)
11 Matthew Tierney (Oughterard)
10 Ryan Monahan (Oughterard)
13 Alan Greene (Oranmore/Maree)
14 Tomo Culhane (Salthill/Knocknacarra)
15 Matthew Cooley (Corofin)
Substitutes:
23 Eoin Mannion (Milltown) for Cooley (42),
22 MacDara Geraghty (Glenamaddy) for Raftery (49),
19 Daniel Cox (Maigh Cuilinn) for Greene (51),
17 Dara Whelan (Claregalway) for McGrath (51),
21 Brian Mannion (Tuam Stars) for Culhane (56),
ROSCOMMON:
1 Daniel Connolly (Tulsk)
2 Pearse Frost (St Brigid’s)
3 Colin Walsh (Oran)
4 Dylan Gaughan (Tulsk)
5 Cian Murray (Fuerty)
6 Niall Higgins (JC) (Elphin)
10 Ruairi Fallon (St Brigid’s)
8 Keith Doyle (St Dominic’s)
9 Ciaran Lawless (Oran)
7 Paul McGrath (St Brigid’s)
11 Paul McManus (JC) (Clann na nGael)
12 Paul Carey (Padraig Pearse’s)
15 Peter Gillooly (Roscommon Gaels)
22 Andrew Lyons (Castlerea St Kevin’s)
14 Darragh Walsh (Oran)
Substitutes:
13 Adam McDermott (Castlrea St Kevin’s) for Gillooly (half-time),
18 Robbie Dolan (St Brigid’s) for Murray (36),
24 Shane Cunnane (St Brigid’s) for Doyle (37),
21 Ciaran Sugrue (St Brigid’s) for Carey (41)
19 Thomas O’Rourke (Tulsk) for McManus (53)
Referee: Declan Corcoran (Mayo).
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best in the west Connacht GAA Gaelic Football Galway u-20 football