Roscommon through to minor final
August 27, 2006
This year's ESB MFC final will be between Roscommon and Kerry after the Connacht champions had too much craft for Meath in this semi-final at Croke Park.
Roscommon 1-10
Meath 0-9
Fergal O'Donnell's charges were deserving winners as their will to win and brilliant defensive efforts ensured that they qualified for a first All-Ireland minor final since 1951.
Things looked a little shaky for them early on as Meath created a huge number of scoring chances at the beginning of the game but some terrible shooting and a missed goal chance would eventually haunt the Royals.
Roscommon were more economical with limited chances and trailed by 0-2 to 0-3 with a minute remaining in a low scoring first half. Then came the games crucial moment when James McKeague's run was unceremoniously ended by Meath's Paddy Brady in the small square for a penalty. Conor Devaney fired the spot kick home and just before the half time whistle, Donal Shine hit over an inspirational point to leave his side ahead by 1-3 to 0-3 at the break.
Meath had a serious penalty claim waved away before the gap was narrowed to just two points but it was in the third quarter that the Connacht champions really impressed.
A run of scores saw them six points clear and cruising before Ciaran Lynch's three points left a goal between the sides with ten minutes remaining.
However, Meath never looked like breaching the Roscommon defence for the major they required and the Connacht men deservedly held out.
Roscommon - M Miley; P Gleeson, M McLoughlin, S Ormsby; P Domican, D Flynn, C Garvey; D Keenan, K Higgins; C Devaney 1-0, J McKeague, D Shine 0-3; P Garvey 0-2, F Cregg 0-2, D O'Gara. Subs - N Carthy for C Garvey, K Waldron for Higgins, C Smith for McKeague, A O'Hara for P Garvey.
Meath - J Ginnity; G Farrelly, S Sheppard, S Carr; D Donegan, P Brady 0-1, D Dalton; E Reilly, C Finn; G Reilly, S O'Rourke, C Lynch 0-3; A Nestor 0-2, S Keating 0-1, B Sheridan 0-2. Subs - S Mallon for Farrelly, C Carry for Donegan, P Larkin for Reilly, C Clarke for Keating.
Referee - R Hickey (Clare).
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