Hodson Bay Hotel Roscommon SFC quarter-final
Roscommon Gaels 1-9 Boyle 0-9
Roscommon Gaels were the deserved winners of this quarter-final in Strokestown on Sunday afternoon – but they made hard work of it against a very disappointing Boyle side.
The teams were level at 0-2 apiece after 10 minutes but the town team kicked on to good effect after that. Ryan Conlon put them ahead with a point from play in the 12th minute and a minute later Richard Walsh sent a quick free to Conlon and the young attacker made no mistake from close-range for what proved to be the only goal of the game.
While the Gaels were on top, they were guilty of some glaring misses – not least a couple of minutes before the break when Peter Gillooly squandered a gilt-edged goal chance after a poor kickout from Rob Kearney. As it was, the Gaels led by 1-4 to 0-3 at half-time.
In the second half, at a stage when they were trailing badly, Boyle awakened from their slumber and kicked five points in a row (two from Cian McKeon) to reduce the margin to just one. But the Gaels found a second wind and points from Mark Purcell (free) and Cian Connolly sealed the victory for them. In truth it should have been much more comfortable for Roscommon Gaels against a strangely lethargic Boyle side.
Best for the Gaels were James Connolly, Tim Lambe, John McManus, Mark Healy, Ryan Conlon and John McGuinness. For Boyle, Sean Purcell, Cathal Feeley and Cian McKeon were most prominent. Roscommon Gaels now face Michael Glaveys in the last four.
Roscommon Gaels: James Featherstone; Cathal Dineen, James Connolly, Eoghan Carthy; Senan Lambe, John McManus, Tim Lambe; Mark Purcell (0-3, 2 frees, 1 ’45), Mark Healy; John McGuinness, Scott Oates, Ryan Conlon (1-1); Cian Connolly (0-2), Peter Gillooly (0-3, frees), Richard Walsh. Subs: Kieran Kilcline for Walsh (49), Ronan Gleeson for Oates (59), Michael Gillooly for McGuinness (62).
Boyle: Rob Kearney; Daniel Casey, Sean Purcell, Killian Cox; Oisin Cregg (0-1), Tadhg McKenna, David Flanagan; Enda Smith (0-1), Roch Hanmore; Cian McKeon (0-2), Cathal Feely, Niall O’Donnell (0-2, frees); Conor Kelly, Donie Smith (0-1, free), Daire Cregg (0-1). Subs: Cathal McKeon (0-1) for Flanagan (h/t), Luke McGrath for Hanmore (60).
Referee: Ian Monaghan.
*A minute’s silence was observed before the throw-in in memory of the late Seamus Comiskey, Honorary President of Roscommon Gaels GAA Club at the time of his sad passing last week, and a distinguished former player and member.
Man of the Match
John McManus
