Roscommon hold off Galway in thriller

Connacht Minor Football Championship Final

Roscommon 3-12

Galway 1-17

At Tuam Stadium

GALWAY haven't lifted the Tom Kilcoyne Cup since 2018 and despite a brave final quarter fightback, Friday evening's pulsating Connacht Minor Football Championship final continued that barren run as Roscommon put titles back-to-back at the grade.

The Primrose and Blue went through their provincial campaign unbeaten - a fact that adds further to their achievement - and it was first half goals from Jayden Concannon and Joshua Coyne followed by a crucial third from Dara Kelleher after the break that were the cornerstone of their victory.

They led by a game high nine points at half-time and bounced back from Galway's early second half purple patch to re-open an eight-point advantage entering the final quarter.

But buoyed by a well-taken 46th minute goal from Adam Healy and two orange flags apiece from Ryan Connolly (from play) and goalkeeper Evan Burke (frees), Galway closed to within a point and were afforded one final chance to grab victory deep in injury-time.

Burke, who has been superb all campaign, took on the responsibility from all of 55 metres and though his effort was well-struck, it fell agonisingly short of giving Galway a famous victory.

ROSCOMMON: Zac Mullally; Conor Tighe, Tadgh Fallon (captain), Colm Fitzgerald; Dara Kelleher (1-0), Jack Brooks, Enda Browne (0-1); Jack Lally (0-2, 0-2 score), Seamie Carthy (0-2); Ronan Carr (0-3, one 0-2 score), Jayden Jennings, Bobby Lenehan (0-1); Cathal Nerney, Jayden Concannon (1-0), Joshua Coyne (1-3, 0-2 frees). Subs: Daniel Nerney, for Fitzgerald, 35 mins; Conor Cryan, for Lenehan, 44 mins; James O’Brien, for Jennings, 49 mins; Seán Duggan, for Concannon, 53 mins; Donnchadh O'Dwyer, for Carr, 59 mins.

GALWAY: Evan Burke (0-4, two 0-2 frees, Tuam Stars); Mylo Higgins (Tuam Stars), Evan McDonagh (Claregalway), Ciarán Collins (Claregalway); Oliver Ó Suilleabháin (0-1, Micheál Breathnach), Eoin Gannon (captain, Micheál Breathnach), Jamie Dillon (Micheál Breathnach); Oisín Ó Neachtáin (Micheál Breathnach), Darragh Kelly (Killannin); Éanna Maher (Monivea-Abbey), Joey Cullinane (0-1, Oranmore-Maree), Ryan Connolly (0-4, two 0-2 scores, Corofin; Mikey Mitchell (0-3, 0-1 free, Killannin), Tiernan Mitchell, Adam Healy (1-2, 0-2 frees), Corofin). Subs: Aaron Hanrahan (0-2, 0-1 free, Oranmore-Maree), for Kelly, half-time; Shane Heneghan (Caherlistrane), for Mikey Mitchell, 48 mins; Ruairí Flaherty (Claregalway), for Tiernan Mitchell, 53 mins.

REFEREE: Shane Corcoran (Mayo).

HERALD SPORT MAN OF THE MATCH: Enda Browne (Roscommon).