Roscommon 1-12 Tipperary 0-12:CONOR DEVANEY'S well-taken goal proved to be the defining moment of an evenly-matched contest in Kiltoom. Both sides struggled for supremacy on the scoreboard. But two points from John Rogers and Michael Finneran in the 44th and 45th minutes were followed by Devaney's goal moments later to give the home side a five-point lead.

The sides were evenly matched in the opening half but Roscommon created at least three clearcut goal chances but they took none of them.

Roscommon were 0-4 to 0-2 ahead at the end of the first quarter but points by Philip Austin and a spectacular effort from midfielder Eoghain Ryan left the sides level at the break.

Roscommon made their surge for home with Devaney’s green flag but despite losing Barry Grogan to a second yellow card, Tipperary battled gamely and a couple of substitutions certainly helped their cause, including the introduction of All-Ireland winning minor Michael Quinlivan.

Points from Austin and substitute Shane Ryan eroded Roscommon’s deficit to one point with only two minutes remaining.

But late points from centre-back Niall Daly and Rogers gave Roscommon the spoils.

ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; S McDermott, N Collins, S Ormsby; C Dineen; N Daly (0-2); S Purcell; M Finneran (0-1), K Higgins (0-1); D Keenan; D Shine (0-3, frees), J Rogers (0-2, frees); D McDermott (0-1), C Devaney (1-0); G Heneghan (0-2). Subs: D O’Gara for Dineen (60 mins), C Cafferky for Ormsby (63 mins), E Kenny for Heneghan (64 mins), M Scally for McDermott (70 mins).

TIPPERARY: M O’Donnell; R Costigan, P. Codd, C. McDonald; R. Kiely, T Ryan, A Morrissey; B Jones, E Ryan (0-1); H Coghlan, D Butler, S Grogan, C Sweeney, P Austin (0-4, 0-1 free), B Grogan (0-4, 0-3 frees). Subs: S Ryan (0-2) for Butler (27 mins), M Quinlivan for S Grogan (46 mins), B Mulvihill (0-1) for Sweeney (46 mins), S Carey for Coghlan (64 mins).

Referee: D Fahy (Longford).