Roscommon 6-18 Sligo 0-12

Enda Smith bagged a first-half hat-trick as Roscommon went on a scoring rampage in Kiltoom. The reigning Connacht champions led by 5-9 to 0-4 at the break as Diarmuid Murtagh and Paul Kenny (from a penalty) also raised green flags for an impressive home side.

Sligo never gained any traction in the contest and all they had to show for their efforts were a brace of frees from Cathal Henry, a free from Michael Casey and a point from play in the 21st minute by Kevin Henry.

Things didn’t improve for the Yeats County in the second half as Diarmuid Murtagh cracked home Roscommon’s sixth goal six minutes into the new half. That score signalled a raft of changes as Roscommon minds started drifting towards a Connacht final against Mayo or Galway on April 4th.

There was still time for wing back Ronan Daly to kick his third point of the afternoon. Centre back Cathal Kenny also got in on the action with a score as Roscommon qualified for their sixth provincial under-21 final in succession.

ROSCOMMON: S Mannion; N McInerney, S Mullooly, D Barron; C Hussey, C Kenny (0-1), R Daly (0-3); C Compton, T O'Rourke; S Killoran (0-2), U Harney (0-2, one free), J Earley (0-1); D Murtagh (2-5, 0-3 frees), E Smith (3-1), P Kenny (1-2, 0-2 frees).

Subs: N Gately for Smith (37 mins), K Kilcline for Killoran (42 mins), M Murtagh for Earley (44 mins), D McGann (0-1) for Murtagh (44 mins), E McGrath for Daly (54 mins), P Neilan for Barron (58 mins).

SLIGO : E McDonagh; D Long, K McDonnell, B Walsh; C Kerins (0-1), J F Carr, C Surlis; B Smith, C Breheny (0-1); K Henry (0-1), C Henry (0-3, two frees), C Davey; S Curley, M Casey (0-4, two frees), S Cawley.

Subs: Ciarán O’Connor (St Farnan’s, 0-2) for Curley (33 mins), O Kennedy for Long (40 mins), K Gavigan for Smith (44 mins), Ciarán O’Connor (Shamrock Gaels) for Cawley (52 mins), G Brady for Henry (55 mins, black card).

Referee: R McBrien (Leitrim).