Tyrone 0-17
Roscommon 0-12

Tyrone led from pillar to post to see off favourites Roscommon at Markievicz Park and qualify for the All-Ireland U21FC final against Tipperary on May 2.

Corner forward Lee Brennan helped himself to 0-6 (0-5 from play) as the Red Hands enjoyed a surprisingly comfortable victory to reach their first final since 2003. Full back Padraig Hampsey and midfielder Cathal McShane were also outstanding against the disappointing Rossies, who have won four of the last Connacht U21 titles but have failed to add All-Ireland silverware.

Despite playing against the strong breeze, the Ulster champions stormed into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead inside the first seven minutes and then weathered a Roscommon fightback to lead by 0-10 to 0-7 at the break.

They continued to keep Mark Dowd's charges at arm's length in the second half, finishing with a flourish after their opponents had got to within two points, 0-12 to 0-14, with six minutes remaining.

Points from Brennan (two), McShane and Michael Cassidy gave the winners the perfect start. Roscommon had to wait until the 10th minute for their opening score from Diarmuid Murtagh. Further scores from Cathal Compton (two) and Murtagh (two) saw them reduce the deficit to the minimum, 0-7 to 0-8, after 28 minutes, but Tyrone were able to reply with efforts from Brennan and Daniel McNulty (free) before the break.

Murtagh and Thomas Corcoran ('45') had early second half points for Roscommon, but they struggled to break down Tyrone's strong defence as late points from midfielder Frank Burns, Brennan (free) and McNulty settled it.

Tyrone - S Fox; R Mullan, P Hampsey, M Cassidy (0-1); C McLaughlin, R Brennan, K McGeary; F Burns (0-1), C McShane (0-3); C Meyler, M Kavanagh (0-2), M Walsh; L Brennan (0-6, 1f), D McNulty (0-4, 3f), R McGlone. Subs: S McKenna for R McGlone, M Bradley for M Kavanagh, P McKenna for M Walsh, D Kavanagh for L Brennan.

Roscommon - S Mannion; N McInerney, S Mullooly, D Barron; C Kenny, E McGrath, R Daly (0-1f); C Compton (0-3), T O'Rourke; S Killoran, U Harney, C Kilcline; D Murtagh (0-6, 4f), E Smith, P Kenny. Subs: N Kelly for S Mannion, T Corcoran (0-1'45) for T O'Rourke, J Earley (0-1) for C Kilcline, N Gately for P Kenny, K Finn for C Compton, D Neary for C Kenny.

Referee - P O'Sullivan (Kerry).

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