Roscommon 2-15 Galway 0-12
Kevin McStay’s Roscommon delivered a fantastic performance against Galway at Salthill on Sunday to win the Nestor Cup for the first time in 7 years. They were far the better team and 9 points was a fair winning margin in my opinion.
Roscommon began the game well kicking three points in the opening 6 minutes, with Ciaran Murtagh kicking a brace and Diarmuid Murtagh also finding the target. Ciaran Murtagh pointed a free after Shane Walsh got Galway on the scoreboard after 8 minutes. Conor Devaney scored a fantastic score, before Diarmuid Murtagh drilled over a free. Roscommon were in control and the Galway kick out strategy wasn’t working. Roscommon were six ahead after 13 minutes. Shane Walsh kicked his and Galway’s first point from play seconds later but from the resulting goal kick Roscommon ran down the field and grabbed a goal courtesy of Cian Connolly. The goal came from a nice pass from Diarmuid Murtagh, Connolly stormed through and expertly finished the ball low to the corner of the net past Conor Lavin. The lead was out to seven, 1-06 to 0-02 and Roscommon were well in control. Roscommon to be fair should have been winning by more only from poor shooting letting them down.
On 26 minutes, Galway were unlucky not to have a goal as Michael Daly ran through the heart of the Roscommon defence only to see his shot hit off the bottom of the post. Walsh then missed a free soon after. Walsh then seen his shot hit the post, before he seen another free go left and wide of the post. Both sides had some poor shooting but to be fair the inclement weather wasn’t helping. However, a score by Diarmuid Murtagh split the posts and the gap was out to eight with half time approaching. Shane Walsh pointed for Galway from 14 yards to leave seven between the sides at the break.
It looked like it was going to the Rossies day on 40 minutes when wing forward Brian Stack got their second goal of the game. He was allowed to carry the ball without been tackled to finish. It was 2-08 to 0-05 now. Walsh and Damian Comer pointed for the Tribesmen, but Murtagh responded with a free. Galway did go on to kick six points in a row though which brought them back into the game, scores from Walsh (2), Conroy (2), O’Donnell and Daly all on target. However, Roscommon pointed once more with Diarmuid Murtagh. With a quarter of the game left the gap was just four points. Comer pointed for Galway on 54 minutes, before Connolly replied for Roscommon. The gap was out to five when substitute Donie Smith pointed on 59 minutes and he pointed a free on 68 minutes as Galway didn’t even managed a score in the final 16 minutes. There was one blip in the Roscommon performance though I am sure it will not matter now, Connolly was sent off on second yellow card on 69 minutes. Conor Devaney all but insured the win on 69 minutes with a sweet kick, before tempers flared among the Galway players which led to two red cards, Michael Lundy was first sent off on a straight red, before Comer was sent off on a second yellow.
It was left to Devaney to put the final nail in the Galway coffin as his 75 minute point and substitute Shane Killoran registered late score. Roscommon march on to the quarter finals, while Galway play Donegal this coming weekend in Sligo.
Player of the Match: Conor Devaney
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