ROSCOMMON WERE NEVER in trouble at Carrick-on-Shannon as Nigel Dineen’s side claimed their third Connacht under 21 title in five years.
Significant hope and expectation is attached to this crop of Roscommon youngsters and they made a blistering start to drain Leitrim of any confidence.
Leitrim had stunned Galway in the provincial semi-final to post their first win at this grade in 16 years, but Roscommon were ready.
Five early points in a row from Mark Nally, Enda Smith (2), and Donie Smith (2) gave Roscommon a commanding lead they never relinquished.
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There was a drop of controversy in the ninth minute when Roscommon’s Donie Smith was black carded and Leitrim improved slightly for a spell.
In the 15th minute Alan McLoughlin blasted a brilliant goal for Leitrim, but Roscommon weren’t too perturbed.
Thomas Corcoran, Diarmuid Murtagh, and substitute Michael Gunning all rifled over points as Ros went in leading 0-11 to 1-2 interval lead.
After the restart Roscommon struck three of the opening four points with the excellent Enda Smith an influential figure.
Smith concluded the contest with a six point haul from play as Roscommon will now await the outcome of next Wednesday’s Munster decider between Tipperary and Cork with interest.
Scorers for Roscommon: Enda Smith 0-6, Diarmuid Murtagh 0-3 (2fs), Donie Smith 0-2, Mark Nally 0-2, Thomas Corcoran 0-2 (1f),Ciaran Kilcline 0-2 (1f), Michael Gunning 0-1, Conor Daly 0-1.
Scorers for Leitrim: Alan McLoughlin 1-1 (1f), Niall Brady 0-2 (2fs).
Roscommon: Colm Lavin; David Murray, Seán Mullooly, Cathal Kenny; John McManus, Fintan Kelly, Conor Daly; Shane Killoran, Thomas Corcoran; Mark Nally, Mark Healy, Enda Smith; Diarmuid Murtagh, Ciaran Kilcline, Donie Smith.
Subs: Michael Gunning for D Smith (9 mins, black card), Fintan Sweeney for Kelly (15 mins), Ultan Harney for Killoran (44 mins), Thomas Featherston for Mullooly (51-58 mins), Ronan Daly for Kenny (54 mins), David Carleton for Murtagh (57 mins), T O’Rourke for Corcoran (57 mins)
Leitrim: Brendan Flynn; Eanna Madden, Niall Woods, Enda Fowley; James Rooney, James Flynn, Killian McGriskin; Donal Wrynn, Felim McHugh; Cian Clinton, Shane Quinn, Nicholas Moore; Tomas Mulvey, Alan McLoughlin, Niall Brady.
Subs: Anthony Mulligan for Moore (30 mins), Ronan Reynolds for J Flynn (46 mins), Ronan Flynn for Wrynn (54 mins), Paddy McHugh for Quinn (56 mins), Padraig Gallagher for Brady (59 mins)
Roscommon claim third Connacht U21 title in five years
Roscommon 0-19
Leitrim 1-3
ROSCOMMON WERE NEVER in trouble at Carrick-on-Shannon as Nigel Dineen’s side claimed their third Connacht under 21 title in five years.
Significant hope and expectation is attached to this crop of Roscommon youngsters and they made a blistering start to drain Leitrim of any confidence.
Leitrim had stunned Galway in the provincial semi-final to post their first win at this grade in 16 years, but Roscommon were ready.
Five early points in a row from Mark Nally, Enda Smith (2), and Donie Smith (2) gave Roscommon a commanding lead they never relinquished.
There was a drop of controversy in the ninth minute when Roscommon’s Donie Smith was black carded and Leitrim improved slightly for a spell.
In the 15th minute Alan McLoughlin blasted a brilliant goal for Leitrim, but Roscommon weren’t too perturbed.
Thomas Corcoran, Diarmuid Murtagh, and substitute Michael Gunning all rifled over points as Ros went in leading 0-11 to 1-2 interval lead.
After the restart Roscommon struck three of the opening four points with the excellent Enda Smith an influential figure.
Smith concluded the contest with a six point haul from play as Roscommon will now await the outcome of next Wednesday’s Munster decider between Tipperary and Cork with interest.
Roscommon: Colm Lavin; David Murray, Seán Mullooly, Cathal Kenny; John McManus, Fintan Kelly, Conor Daly; Shane Killoran, Thomas Corcoran; Mark Nally, Mark Healy, Enda Smith; Diarmuid Murtagh, Ciaran Kilcline, Donie Smith.
Subs: Michael Gunning for D Smith (9 mins, black card), Fintan Sweeney for Kelly (15 mins), Ultan Harney for Killoran (44 mins), Thomas Featherston for Mullooly (51-58 mins), Ronan Daly for Kenny (54 mins), David Carleton for Murtagh (57 mins), T O’Rourke for Corcoran (57 mins)
Leitrim: Brendan Flynn; Eanna Madden, Niall Woods, Enda Fowley; James Rooney, James Flynn, Killian McGriskin; Donal Wrynn, Felim McHugh; Cian Clinton, Shane Quinn, Nicholas Moore; Tomas Mulvey, Alan McLoughlin, Niall Brady.
Subs: Anthony Mulligan for Moore (30 mins), Ronan Reynolds for J Flynn (46 mins), Ronan Flynn for Wrynn (54 mins), Paddy McHugh for Quinn (56 mins), Padraig Gallagher for Brady (59 mins)
Referee: S Hehir (Galway).
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