Two goals in the closing stages of the first half turned an entertaining match in Roscommon's direction at Kiltoom. Sigerson Cup holders Sligo IT were the more impressive team early on, but once Enda Kenny scored the home team's first goal in the 24th minute the pattern of the game altered.

Sligo IT were still two points ahead two minutes into first-half injury-time before Paul Moran found Séamus Heneghan who drilled a powerful shot beyond Paul Durcan. And sub Mark O'Carroll scored a third goal for the home team eight minutes into the second half when he latched on to a pass from Karol Mannion to score with his first touch of the ball.

As conditions deteriorated in the final quarter play became more scrappy, but Roscommon full back Brian McNeela saved a goal-bound shot from David Ward on the line with two minutes remaining.

ROSCOMMON: D Lennon; J Whyte, B McNeela, K Mahon; P O'Connor, S Gallagher, J Rogers (0-1); S O'Neill (0-1), D Hagan; S Heneghan (1-1), E Kenny (1-1), D Scahill; P Moran, K Mannion, J Carlton (0-2). Subs: R Nolan (0-1) for Moran; M O'Carroll (1-0) for Scahill; A McPadden for Gallagher; N Finneran for Heneghan.

SLIGO IT: P Durcan; K Lacy, K Higgins, E Smith; J Murphy, E McGee, S McDermott; R O'Connor, C Toye (0-1); D Ward (0-2), A Moran, A Costello (0-1); M Doherty (0-5, three frees), J Glancy (0-1), D Moran (0-2). Sub: C Cafferkey for D Moran.

Referee: V Neary (Mayo).