St Jarlath's got semi-final fright from Roscommon

By JIM CARNEY St Jarlath's, Tuam 1-11       Roscommon C.B.S. 1-9 TOO CLOSE for comfort as far as Connacht Colleges Senior (A) football champions St Jarlath's were concerned at Ballyhaunis last Wednesday in the first of the provincial semi-finals, but at the same time it was no harm to get a fright. Looking ahead to the final against Summerhill College, Sligo on Saturday week, it should help to concentrate minds on the need to perform for 60 minutes. Against Roscommon C.B.S. it wasn't until the second half that the Tuam college got serious about the big task facing them. In fairness, they put in a much better display on the change of ends, but that was the least expected of them at that stage. For a young team, most of the starting XV had quite an amount of experience â€â€ seven of them lined out in the Hogan Cup final last year and an eighth was introduced as a sub late in the first half of that game, while several of those players also played County U-16 and Minor Championship football. It must be acknowledged, of course, that this was a first Championship outing for both sides and St Jarlath's are likely to benefit substantially from it. Traditionally too, it's the big tests that bring out the best in St Jarlath's teams but that has its own dangers. For all the excellence they showed in the second half against Roscommon, the question asked by neutrals would be: why did the losers collapse after leading by six points at half-time, 1-9 to 0-6. My opinion is that it was a combination of the young Rossies being lulled into a false sense of security allied to the perfect mix of skill and spirit shown by St Jarlath's when they were put under pressure. In that context, it was hugely encouraging for all involved, on and off the field, that the team passed a test of character very impressively. Their first-half display was poor. There's no other way of putting it. Slow ball from the half-back line; players carrying the ball into tackles and getting bottled up; forwards not going hard enough when presented with goal chances, allowing the defence to make blocks, and at the other end several Roscommon points from play came through shooting without being tightly marked. Roscommon full-forward Enda Lannon goaled in the 14th minute but from Tuam's point of view it wasn't anybody's fault â€â€ a close-range finish after a 45 dropped short, into the goalmouth. Roscommon C.B.S. may have felt they had done enough by half-time â€â€ there's a huge difference between six points up and six down. But the wind strengthened very significantly on the resumption, favouring St Jarlath's, and once they started scoring you could see them reeling in their opponents. A point off a long-range free by Shane Walsh was followed by a brilliant goal. Big midfielder Conor Gleeson started the move which Michael McWalters and Seán Silke carried on, at speed and with skill, and the other midfielder Seán Glynn timed a run to the 20-metre line to perfection and shook the net with a superb drive. After that, with 20 minutes left, St Jarlath's were dominant and they hit a string of spectacular points. Although Roscommon still led by two points (1-9 to 1-7) after the Tuam goal, they were held scoreless for all of the second half and they could have had no complaints about the outcome. Up two points in the closing stages, St Jarlath's appeared to be in control but there was always the danger of conceding a goal. And when they got a goal chance of their own in the final minute, with Martin Farragher running into a great position, unmarked, he didn't get the pass from his team-mate on the ball.   St Jarlath's: Mark Mulligan (Claremorris); Conor Langan (Corofin), Cathal Reilly (Corofin), Rory O'Connor (Tuam Stars); Patrick Glynn (Dunmore MacHales), Adrian Nolan, captain (Killererin), Conor Cunningham (Corofin); Conor Gleeson (Dunmore MacHales, 0-1), Seán Glynn (Milltown, 1-0); Michael McWalters (Milltown), Liam Silke (Corofin, 0-2), Joseph Donnellan (Cortoon Shamrocks); Seán Silke (Corofin, 0-1), Martin Farragher (Corofin, 0-1), Shane Walsh (Kilkerrin-Clonberne, 0-6, two frees, one 45). Sub used: Rory Moloney (Cortoon Shamrocks). Roscommon CBS: M. Whyte; M. McNeill, T. Featherstone, L. Kilcline; O. Hannon (0-1, a 45), C. Shaw, P. Nealon; M. Nally (0-1), K. Kilcline; C. Dolan, M. Healy, B. Fannon; P. Kenny (0-2, one free), E. Lannon (1-3, 0-3 frees), C. Casey (0-2). Subs used: D. Donnelly, C. Clarke. Referee: Ronan Gurren (Mayo).