Matthew Tierney of Galway celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship semi-final match between Galway and Roscommon at Pearse Stadium in Galway. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.
Connacht SFC Semi-Final
GALWAY 1-24 ROSCOMMON 0-18
By Ian Cooney at Pearse Stadium, Salthill
Galway remain on course for a fourth Connacht title in a row after cruising to victory against a hugely disappointed Roscommon side in front of 10,573 spectators at Pearse Stadium, Salthill.
Apart from the opening quarter, Pádraic Joyce’s side were in cruise control, thanks to the midfield dominance of Paul Conroy, John Maher and Cein D’Arcy, alongside Rob Finnerty’s eight point haul, which included six from play.
The Rossies threatened a comeback in the third quarter with two-pointers from Ciaráin and Diarmuid Murtagh, and Donie Smith, but Galway were never troubled, and the sight of Damien Comer making an appearance for the final 14 minutes rounded off a thoroughly satisfactory afternoon for last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists.
Galway were in the box seat at half time. With Robert Finnerty and Matthew Tierney leading the line, the home side always looked capable of opening up a Roscommon defence that afforded their direct opponents far too much acreage.
Consequently, Galway turned water into wine, thanks to a couple of two pointers from play by the excellent Paul Conroy and a two-point free by Tierney. An 18th minute goal by the latter swung the pendulum decisively in his side’s favour after the sides were deadlocked after 17 minutes.
A free by Robert Finnerty, who was winning his battle with Niall Higgins, handed Galway an early advantage. But there were signs of hope from a Roscommon perspective when wing-back Colm Neary finished off a patient move with a point.
Cillian McDaid and Conroy added to Galway’s tally — the latter bisecting the posts from the right wing after being set up by Finnerty.
Ciaráin Murtagh grabbed a much-needed free for Roscommon before his brother Diarmuid missed a presentable goal chance. At the other end, Finnerty blasted over the crossbar after John Maher and Cillian McDaid opened up the Roscommon defence.
But a mark by Ruaidhrí Fallon was followed by a Diarmuid Murtagh free to leave the sides on level terms, 0-4 apiece, after 17 minutes.
At that point, Galway decided to apply the after-burners. A minute later, Seán Kelly fisted an effort against the post. The ball broke kindly for Tierney who didn’t need a second invitation to find the corner of the net.
A delightful pass by Conroy allowed Finnerty convert a mark before the Oughterard player converted the first two-point free of the afternoon after a needless push by Ultan Harney into the back of Cein D’Arcy.
Ben O’Carroll responded for the Rossies but Paul Conroy’s first two-pointer left seven points between the teams, 1-9 to 0-5, after 25 minutes.
Galway responded to a Diarmuid Murtagh free with a John Maher fisted point.
O’Carroll benefited from a scrap for possession to grab his second point of the half but a wonderfully-worked two-pointer for Conroy on the hooter left Galway 1-12 to 0-7 ahead at the break.
With whatever breeze there was behind them after the break, there was a feeling that Roscommon, who introduced Keith Doyle and Daire Cregg at the break, needed to take more risks but that left them vulnerable at the back, and Galway, especially Finnerty, reaped a rich harvest from the generous space afforded to them.
Two rapid-fire scores from Finnerty signalled the Tribesmen’s intent before Ciaráin Murtagh kicked the Rossies’ first two-pointer of the content.
Cillian McDaid added to Galway’s tally before a two-pointer from the left by Diarmuid Murtagh was followed by a Ciaráin Murtagh point to leave just six between them, 1-15 to 0-12.
But that’s as close as Roscommon got as Galway were always able to keep the scoreboard ticking over at their leisure, with Maher, McDaid, Dylan McHugh (2), Finnerty (4) and Liam Silke finding the target.
Donie Smith’s delightful two-pointer was a rare highlight for Roscommon, and while Ben O’Carroll, Shane Killoran, Diarmuid Murtagh (free) and Senan Lambe added to Davy Burke’s side’s tally, the nine-point gap between the teams at the final whistle was an accurate reflection on the trajectory of the contest.
For Galway, they’ll put their Connacht title on the line against Mayo in a few weeks’ time in Castlebar. For Roscommon, it’s back to the drawing board as they try and regroup of the All-Ireland Series.
Scorers for Galway: Robert Finnerty 0-8 (2f), Matthew Tierney 1-3 (1m, 1tpf), Paul Conroy 0-5 (2 tp), Cillian McDaid 0-3, John Maher 0-2, Dylan McHugh 0-2, Liam Silke 0-1.
Scorer for Roscommon: Diarmuid Murtagh 0-5 (3f, 1tp), Ciaráin Murtagh 0-4 (1tp), Ben O’Carroll 0-3, Donie Smith 0-2 (1tp), Colm Neary 0-1, Ruaidhrí Fallon 0-1 (1m), Shane Killoran 0-1, Senan Lambe 0-1
Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Seán Kelly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Matthew Tierney, Cillian McDaid, Céin D’Arcy; Matthew Thompson, Robert Finnerty, Seán Mulkerrin. Subs: Damien Comer for Kelly 56, Daniel O’Flaherty for McDaid 59, Cathal Sweeney for McHugh 63, Tomo Culhane for Finnerty 66, Sam O’Neill for Thompson 66.
Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Pearse Frost, David Murray, Niall Higgins; Ruaidhrí Fallon, Brian Stack, Colm Neary; Eddie Nolan, Shane Cunnane; Ultan Harney, Enda Smith, Ciaráin Murtagh; Diarmuid Murtagh, Ben O’Carroll, Cian McKeon. Subs: Shane Killoran for McKeon temp 10-15, Keith Doyle for Higgins h-t, Daire Cregg for Harney h-t, Donie Smith for McKeon 43, Conor Cox for Enda Smith 50, Shane Killoran for Nolan temp 56-70, Senan Lambe for Neary 62.
Referee: Seán Hurson (Tyrone).
