Anthony Cunningham’s first competitive game as Roscommon senior football manager ended in a 2-18 to 1-16 Connacht FBD League semi-final victory over Sligo today.

Played at Dr Hyde Park, the hosts overturned a four-point half-time deficit to run out five-point winners over the Yeats County.

With both sets of players out to impress their respective new managers, the early exchanges were keenly contested.

The Rossies’ Shane Killoran and the impressive Niall Murphy (scorer of 1-8) traded penalties during a first-half which ended with Paul Taylor’s men 1-10 to 1-6 to the good.

The primrose and blues seized control of proceedings after the resumption, however, and outscored their opponents by 1-12 to 0-6.

Enda Smith’s second-half goal sent them on the road to victory and they will now face Galway – who edged out Mayo in a penalty shoot-out - in the decider.

Roscommon - D O’Malley; G Patterson, S Mullooly, C Daly (0-1); C Hussey, N Daly (0-1), R Daly (0-1); T O’Rourke, C Fitzmaurice (0-1); N Kilroy (0-2), E Smith (1-3, 0-1f), S Killoran (1-1); D Smith (0-3, 1f), C Lennon (0-1f), C Cregg (0-1f). Subs: D Pettit for S Mullooly, H Darcy for C Lennon, A Lyons for C Cregg, E McGrath for G Patterson, C Compton (0-3, 1f) for N Kilroy.

Sligo - A Devaney; N Mullen, P Laffey, J F Carr; K Cawley, P McNamara, G O’Kelly Lynch; P Kilcoyne (0-1), D Cummins; S Carrabine (0-2f), P O’Connor, L Towey (0-3); B McGowan, D Quinn, N Murphy (1-8, 0-4f, 1-0pen). Subs: A McIntyre for D Cummins, P Hughes (0-2f) for D Quinn, A Marren for B McGowan, L Nicholson for P O’Connor, A McLaughlin for L Towey.

Referee - J Henry.

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