Roscommon 0-19
Leitrim 1-3

Roscommon lifted the JJ Fahy Cup for a third time in four years and an eighth time in all thanks to a dominant performance against Leitrim in front of 5,500 spectators at Carrick-on-Shannon today.

Enda Smith scored 0-6 from play in a man of the match display as the Hastings Cup champions justified the favouritism to earn an All-Ireland semi-final date with the winners of next Wednesday night's Munster final between Tipperary and Cork. Nigel Dineen's impressive changes led from start to finish, recovering well from the concession of an Alan McLoughlin goal midway through the first half to lead by 0-11 to 1-2 at half-time.

It continued to be one-way traffic after the break as a stronger and slicker Roscommon team ran out comfortable winners against a disappointing home side who never looked like repeating their famous semi-final victory over All-Ireland champions Galway.

The visitors dominated the early exchanges and had raced into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead thanks to scores from Mark Nally, Enda Smith (two), and Donie Smith (two) before the latter was black-carded in the eighth minute and was replaced by Michael Gunning. Niall Brady eventually opened Leitrim's account from a free, only for the Rossies to reply with further points from Ciaran Kilcline and Enda Smith.

Leitrim got themselves back into it in the 14th minute when their full forward Alan McLoughlin scoring a stunning goal. The Mohill clubman gave Roscommon 'keeper Colm Lavin no chance with a rocket of a shot into the top left hand corner of the net.

The winners then lost centre back Fintan Sweeney to injury, with Fintan Sweeney coming on to replace him. The sides exchanged points before Roscommon finished the half with three unanswered points, including two from midfielder Thomas Corcoran (one from a free), to take a six-point lead into the break. Just before half-time, Anthony Mulligan replaced Nicholas Moore in the Leitrim half forward line.

Nigel Dineen's charges picked up from where they left off before the break with Diarmuid Murtagh slotting over a brace of early frees. Enda Smith blasted over with a goal at his mercy in the 36th minute before a routine free from Niall Brady left it 1-3 to 0-14.

Roscommon extended their advantage thanks to scores from Conor Daly and Smith before Leitrim were dealt another blow when their captain James Flynn was forced off on the three-quarter hour mark, with Ronan Reynolds taking his place.

Ros' also lost Shane Killoran to injury, but it made no difference as Mark Nally and Smith kept the scoreboard ticking over. Leitrim's misery was compounded when wing back Killian McGriskin was sent off with three minutes remaining.

It was left to Ciaran Kilcline to complete the scoring for the visitors - who posted nine wides compared to Leitrim's six - from a free.

Scorers - Roscommon: Enda Smith 0-6, Diarmuid Murtagh 0-3 (2fs), Donie Smith 0-2, Mark Nally 0-2, Thomas Corcoran 0-2 (1f),Ciaran Kilcline 0-2 (1f), Michael Gunning 0-1, Conor Daly 0-1. Leitrim: Alan McLoughlin 1-1 (1f), Niall Brady 0-2 (2fs).

Roscommon: Colm Lavin; David Murray, Seán Mullooly, Cathal Kenny; John McManus, Fintan Kelly, Conor Daly; Shane Killoran, Thomas Corcoran; Mark Nally, Mark Healy, Enda Smith; Diarmuid Murtagh, Ciaran Kilcline, Donie Smith. Subs: Michael Gunning for D Smith (8 mins, black card), Fintan Sweeney for Kelly (15 mins), Ultan Harney for Killoran (44 mins), Thomas Featherston for Mullooly (51 min), Ronan Daly for Kenny (54 min), David Carleton for Murtagh (57 min), T O'Rourke for Corcoran (57 mins)

Leitrim: Brendan Flynn; Eanna Madden, Niall Woods, Enda Fowley; James Rooney, James Flynn, Killian McGriskin; Donal Wrynn, Felim McHugh; Cian Clinton, Shane Quinn, Nicholas Moore; Tomas Mulvey, Alan McLoughlin, Niall Brady. Subs: Anthony Mulligan for Moore (30 mins), Ronan Reynolds for J Flynn (46 mins), Ronan Flynn for Wrynn (54 mins), Paddy McHugh for Quinn (56 mins), Padraig Gallagher for Brady (59 mins)

Referee: S Hehir (Galway). Tweet

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