Connacht MF FinalGalway 3-10 Roscommon 2-10 Roscommon will have to find a route back into the championship through the back door as Galway triumphed in an entertaining Connacht minor football final at McHale Park yesterday.
The game was delicately poised with eight minutes left on the clock when Roscommon substitute Conor McHugh cracked home a great goal after being left unmarked on the edge of the square to edge them into a one-point lead, 2-8 to 2-7.
It was Galway substitute Cathal Coleman, however, who made the biggest impact.
His point in response to the Roscommon goal levelled the game and he edged Galway back in front again a minute later and Seán Armstrong added on a goal and a point to finally break Roscommon's stubborn resistance.
Galway came under pressure in the early stages, goalkeeper Brian Ruane twice denying Cathal Cregg as Roscommon went hunting for a goal.
The first goal was scored by Galway, though, when Armstrong found the net in the 10th minute.
Galway had gone 1-2 clear by the time Roscommon rattled off three points from Ronan Martin, two from frees, and Aiden Dooney.
Five minutes before the half-time break Roscommon did finally find the net, the ball coming off the crossbar and Enda Kenny was the first to react and fist it to the net.
However, there was another twist before the break, a brilliant goal from Shane Hogan left Galway just one adrift at half-time, 2-2 to 1-6.
Galway had built up a three-point lead before Conor McHugh levelled the match with Roscommon's second goal with seven minutes remaining.
Coleman quickly levelled and then put Galway in front before Armstrong finished off the game in style.
GALWAY: B Ruane; J Acton, D Kelly, R Finnegan; G Bradshaw, T Crowe, R McTiernan; S Mannion, F Breathnach; B Faherty (0-2), C Rogan, A Glynn; S Hogan (1-2); S Armstrong (2-3), F Burke. Subs: C Coleman (0-2) for Rogan, K Murphy (0-1) for Mannion, S Kelly for Acton.
ROSCOMMON: J Martin; R Brady, T Bannon, J Carney; S Higgins, M Kelly, N Grehan (0-1); R Dooner (0-I), E Kenny (1-1); A Dooney (0-3), J Callery, C Farrell; R Martin (0-2), N Murray, C Cregg. Subs: C McHugh (1-2) for Murray, B Nolan for Callery, D Egan for Higgins.
Referee: V Neary (Mayo).
