Clann na nGael claim first Roscommon SFC title in 19 years

Clann na nGael 1-9 Padraig Pearses 0-11

Dublin legend Paul Curran led former kingpins Clann na nGael back to the top of Roscommon football with a one-point win over Padraig Pearses in a tense final at Hyde Park.

This was Clann’s 20th Roscommon title but their first since 1996 and comes after Curran - who guided Ballymun Kickhams to the 2013 All-Ireland club final - took over this year. The final was billed as the ‘Battle of the Currans’ as Pearses are managed by colourful former Roscommon goalkeeper Shane.

The decisive score was a well-taken goal by Donie Shine after 48 minutes. Pearses goalkeeper Adam McManus - who had an outstanding match otherwise - was dispossessed by Ultan Harney. The centre-forward passed to Shine who still had plenty to do but he placed a precise low shot inside the left post.

That goal still separated the sides entering injury-time when Pearses, who were seeking their first-ever title, staged a late rally which yielded points for Hubert Darcy and Ronan Daly but a last-gasp effort for an equaliser by Tom Butler was foiled by Clann goalkeeper Ronan O'Reilly.

Both teams began nervously and the first score didn't arrive until the 13th minute as Niall Daly popped the ball between the posts. It took Clann 20 minutes to score when Jamie Fahy converted a free.

Donie Shine added a second free before powering over a good point from 35 metres after 28 minutes. Daly responded with a point from play. The highlight of the first-half came in injury-time when a pinpoint pass from Cathal Shine - who had a superb match at midfield - left Johnny Dunning unmarked inside the defence but McManus was off his line quickly to make an excellent block.

Darcy set up Ronan Daly for the equaliser only for Harney to restored Clann’s lead with a long-range point.

Following a poor first-half the standard of football improved after the interval. The sides were deadlocked throughout the third-quarter until Shine pounced for the crucial goal.

Clann na nGael: R O'Reilly; D Flynn, G Pettit, R Gavin; J Connaughton (0-1), S Pettit, F Lennon; C Shine, D Shine (1-3, 0-2 frees); E Kenny, J Fahy (0-2, frees), M Scally; U Harney (0-1), R McManus (0-1), J Dunning. Subs: C Callinan (0-1) for Fahy (45 mins), D Pettit for Scally (51 mins), R Naughton for D Shine (62 mins).

Padraig Pearses: A McManus; D Murray, A Butler, E Barrett; R Daly (0-2), E Barrett, C Daly; N Carty, N Daly (0-2); E Kelly, D Duffy, A Mannion; T Butler, H Darcy (0-1, free), S Fahy (0-4, three frees). Subs: S Carty (0-2) for Duffy (half-time), S Ryan for Kelly (54 mins), N Finneran for Fahy (60 mins), E Ryan for C Daly (62 mins).

Referee: V. Hardiman.