Roscommon 1-19
Cork 3-12

Roscommon's U-21 footballers breathed a sigh of relief as they withstood a strong second half challenge from Cork to book their place in this year's All-Ireland final in a dramatic finish at O'Moore Park.

A large Rossies contingent travelled to cheer on their team and it proved to be a rewarding trip as those in attendance were treated to an exhibition of point-taking from right corner-forward Diarmuid Murtagh who finished the contest with 0-10 (six frees) to his credit.

And it was the number 13 who came to his side's rescue when displaying nerves of steel to point an injury-time winning free.

Cork's Dan MacEoin looked to have forced extra-time when he squared matters in the first minute of injury-time with a goal from a 20m free but there was still time for Murtagh to send over the match-winning point from a an acute angle out along the stand sideline in Portlaoise.

It was dramatic climax to an entertaining penultimate stage clash. Donie Smith set the scene with the game's first score after just 24 seconds of play and the primrose and blues finished a productive first half with an 0-11 to 0-5 half-time advantage.

Seven Roscommon players got on the scoresheet during the opening period with Murtagh leading the way on four points.

At the other end of the field, Murtagh's opposite number MacEoin tried his best to provide some resistance, raising three white flags, but he was left to plough a lone furrow during the opening 30 minutes.

The scoreboard read 0-4 apiece after 10 minutes when Cork netminder Martin denied Smith a goal but there was some compensation for the Rossies in the form of a pointed free by Murtagh.

Smith's second point and an effort from Ciaran Kilcline then opened up a 0-7 to 0-4 lead for the Connacht champions by the end of the opening quarter and the momentum was very much in their favour as Harney gave them a four point cushion shortly after.

It was all one-way traffic at that stage and half-back Ronan Daly got in on the scoring act before Murtagh made it seven points without reply.

A converted free by the hard-working MacEoin ended Cork's barren spell in front of the posts but normal service was soon restored when Murtagh rounded off the first half scoring straight from the resulting kick-out.

MacEoin and Murtagh traded points early in the second half before centre-forward Mark Sugrue gave Cork the lifeline they were hoping for with a goal three minutes after the resumption.

The gap was down to two when Alan Cadogan fisted over his first point but Murtagh replied with four Roscommon frees on the spin.

Cadogan and MacEoin stopped the rot with two points in as many minutes point but it was hard to look beyond Roscommon when they led by 0-16 to 1-9 at the three quarter hour mark.

Then Alan Cadogan struck for a second goal against the run of play in the 48th minute and, all of a sudden, Roscommon looked on shaky ground with just a two point lead.

Mark Healy punched a point to settle Roscommon nerves and Harney looked to have put the result beyond any doubt when unleashing an unstoppable shot past Martin in the 51st minute.

The game appeared to be heading for an inevitable conclusion but MacEoin had other ideas and a drama-packed finish ensued.

Luckily, for Roscommon, there was still time for Murtagh to have the final say while It was hard luck on Cork substitute Sam Ryan who was penalised for picking the ball up with his knees.

Roscommon - C Lavin; D Murray, S Mullooly, C Kenny; N McInerney, J McManus, R Daly (0-1); U Harney (1-1), T Corcoran (0-2, f, 45); C Kilcline (0-1), M Healy (0-1), E Smith (0-2); D Murtagh (0-10, 6fs), M Nally, D Smith (0-1). Sub: J Earley for M Healy (60 mins).

Cork - M Martin; J Davis, C Dorman, S Cronin; B O'Driscoll, S White, K Crowley; K Fulignati, I Maguire; K O'Hanlon, M Sugrue (1-3, 0-1 f), S Kiely (0-1); D MacEoin (1-6, 1-3 fs), J Corkery, A Cadogan (1-2). Subs: K Histon for Fulignati (26), K Kavanagh for O'Hanlon (26 mins), S Ryan for Corkery (48 mins), K McIntyre for Kiely (60 mins).

Referee: A Nolan (Wicklow). Tweet

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