Galway 0-13 Roscommon 2-25
The Paddy Francis Dwyer Cup returned to Roscommon for the first time in five years as Davy Burke's charges cruised to victory in Friday night's FBD Insurance Connacht League final at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan.
The result was never in any doubt as Galway’s development squad found the going extremely tough against their much more experienced and well-conditioned neighbours.
A ninth-minute goal from wing-back Eoin McCormack set the winners on their way to a facile victory, and the outcome had long been decided by the time that All Star Enda Smith palmed the ball past Galway’s Oran Burke in the closing stages.
A large crowd of 2,237 made their way into the largest indoor sports dome in the world for the latest renewal of this local derby, but it was apparent from the early stages that Roscommon meant business.
Burke’s side started as they meant to go on and by half-time they were out of sight, leading by 1-14 to 0-06. They pulled away at their leisure as the second half progressed.
Roscommonn were so comfortable by the interval that they were able to introduce five substitutes, including the Smith brothers, Enda and Donie, and veteran defender Niall Daly.
The Rossies had eased 0-o4 to 0-01 clear before Eoin McCormack raced through to hit the Galway net in the ninth minute to open the floodgates.
Cathal Heneghan (2), Ciaran Lennon, Adam McDermott (2), Dylan Ruane, Niall Higgins and Donie Smith then all shot eye-catching scores.
The Tribesmen were unlucky to see Jack O’Neill rattle the crossbar but Lee Costello and Cillian Ó Curraoin did raise white flags from open play.
The second half brought little respite for Padraic Joyce’s experimental selection as a rampant Roscommon added 1-11 to their tally and both teams made a raft of substitutions.
Galway managed to shoot seven points in response, six of them coming from the stylish Ó Curraoin, four from frees and one via a well-struck '45.
The pick of Roscommon’s scores came from subs Andrew Glennon (2), Daire Cregg (2), Senan Lambe and Jack Duggan, whose father Derek wore the primrose and blue with distinction for many years.
Roscommon’s Diarmuid Murtagh marked his 100th appearance by lifting the trophy.
Burke will now turn his attention to Roscommon’s opening game of the Allianz Footnall League away to Tyrone next week while Joyce’s focus will be on getting his first-team squad ready for the visit of Mayo to Salthill.
Roscommon: C Carroll; P Gavin, L Glennon, C Keogh; N Higgins (0-1), E Flynn, E McCormack (1-0); K Doyle, D Ruane (0-3, 1 mark); C Connolly (0-1), D Murtagh (0-1, 1f), C Lennon (0-2); A McDermott (0-2), C Heneghan (0-3), C Cox (0-2, 2fs).
Subs: E Smith (1-0) for Murtagh; A Glennon (0-2) for Cox; D Smith (0-3, 2fs) for Connolly; N Daly for McCormack; D Kenny (0-1) for Keogh; C Lavin for Carroll; D Murray for Glennon; J Duggan (0-1) for McDermott; S Lambe (0-1) for Heneghan; C Walsh for Flynn; D Cregg (0-2, 1f) for Doyle.
Galway: O Burke; L Boyle, B Mannion, D Varley; C Monaghan, J Kirrane, D O’Flaherty; C Brady, C Darcy (0-1); R Monaghan, A Ó Laoi (0-1, 1f), J O’Neill; L Costello (0-1), C Power, C Ó Curraoin (0-9, 7fs, ‘45).
Subs: R Cunningham for O’Neill; D Kilcommins for Flaherty; G Davoren for Ó Laoi; D Hunt for C Monaghan; S McGrath for Costello; M Colleran for Power; C Rafferty for Brady.
Referee: M McGirl (Leitrim)
