A goal from full forward Gerry Lohan 10 minutes into the second-half proved the crucial turning point in the Connacht under-21 football final at Hyde Park on Saturday.

The sides were level for the sixth time when Dominic Gillooly and man of the match Frankie Dolan combined to put Lohan through for the only goal of an exciting contest watched by an attendance of 5,000.

Torential rain just before the throw-in made it very difficult for both sides who nevertheless made light of the conditions to serve up a contest which often sparkled with some fine football.

Strongly fancied Sligo appeared to have taken a grip on the game when they led 0-4 to 0-2 by the 20 minute mark. But a point from Lohan and two more from Dolan within a three minute spell put the home side back in front and they led 0-6 to 0-5 at the break. Lohan's second-half goal, after Sligo keeper Stephen Hegarty had made a splendid save from Gillooly five minutes after the restart seemed to inspire Roscommon.

Roscommon: E Daly; M Cunniffe, J Whyte, A McFadden; M Costello, B Burke, D Harney; S Lohan (0-1), D Gillooly (0-1); D Cox (0-2), G Kelly, J Tiernan; J Hanley, G Lohan (1-4 two from frees), F Dolan (0-4). Subs: G Mockler for Harney.

Sligo: S Hegarty; J Rolston, N McGuire, R Hannon; K Morley, J Hayes, P Gallagher; B Murphy (0-1), S Davey (0-1); E Cawley (0-1), K Giblin, B Phillips; T Brennan (0-1, free), J McPartland (0-2), S Flannery (0-3 two from frees). Subs: J Curley, for Rolston, K Farragher, for Phillips.

Referee: W Feeley (Mayo).