Connacht U-21 B Hurling Final
August 16, 2012Mayo 3-7
Connacht U-21 B Hurling Final in Athleague
Roscommon U-21 hurlers qualified for an All-Ireland B semi-final against Fermanagh following a comfortable victory over Mayo in the Connacht final.
The second-half was played in strong wind and rain as the tail-end of the storm that hit the country last Wednesday made its way to Athleague but this game had blown itself out by then as Roscommon had forged into a 13-point lead early in the second-half. Mayo brought some respectability to the scoreline with three second-half goals, including one in injury-time, but they struggled against a physically stronger Roscommon team.
Despite playing against the wind Roscommon controlled the first-half with Naos Connaughton, back from the injury which ruled him out of the latter stages of the All-Ireland U-21 football championship, proving an effective target-man. Roscommon County U-21 and senior footballer Niall Kilroy got the ball rolling for the home team with the first of his seven points from play in the second minute. The Tremane forward followed up with a second point from 50 metres before Connaughton opened his account in the sixth minute.
Noel Fallon and Niall McCarney swapped points after eight minutes and after Kilroy scored from play, Connaughton drilled home the opening goal from a 20-metre free after being fouled himself. Ballina's Paul O'Grady sent over a point for Mayo from 70 metres but Connaughton struck again after 19 minutes. The Roscommon full-forward collected a pass from Brian Donnelly and slotted a low shot to the net. Fallon tagged on three points before half-time with Connaugton adding a point from play while Mayo replied with scores from Tooreen's Ciarán Charlton (two) and Kieran Kiely to leave the home leading by 2-9 to 0-5 at half-time.
Mulry dashed any lingering Mayo hopes with a well-taken goal two minutes into the second-half. Roscommon then switched off and, as the supply to Connaughton evaporated, Mayo came more into the game. The switch of the skillful Darren McTighe to midfield was a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul but McTigue, Charlton and lively sub David Kenny ensured the visitors got more possession.
After an exchange of points between Kilroy and Charlton, Kenny cut through the home defence after 42 minutes to set up Nathan O'Malley who finished with aplomb. Kenny and Charlton had shots saved by Conor Fitzgibbon but Mayo eventually found the net again in the 52nd minute when a low shot from Charlton from a 20-metre free to the right of goal whizzed through a crowded goalmouth.
Kilroy and Fallon kept the scoreboard ticking over to ensure Roscommon were never in any danger but Mayo were rewarded for their tenacity with a point from Charlton and a Kevin Kenna goal in injury-time.
ROSCOMMON: C. Fitzgibbon; C. Shaw, P. Kelleghan, S. Keane; M. Gunning, B. Donnelly, D. Fallon; E. Mulry (1-0), N. Fallon (0-5, four frees); J. Lawlor, N. Kilroy (0-7), D. Concannon; P. Leahy, N. Connaughton (2-2, 1-0 penalty), T. Fetherston. Sub: K. Feehily for Concannon.
MAYO: B. Lane; A. Gavin, C. Walsh, M. Gallagher; C. Finn, Colm Higgins, D. Keadin; C. Charlton (1-4, 1-3 frees), P O'Grady (0-1); N O'Malley, K. Keena (1-0), N. McCarney (0-1), D McTighe, K Kiely (0-1), P Kiely. Subs: D Kenny, J Grimes, J Walsh and J O'Malley.
Wides: Roscommon - 14; Mayo - 9.
Yellow cards: Roscommon - Keane (27 mins), Kelleghan (54 mins); Mayo - none.
Red cards: none.
Player of the Match: Niall Kilroy (Roscommon). Niall's tally of 0-7 from play shades the verdict ahead of Naos Connaughton, Peter Kelleghan, Brian Donnelly, Eamon Mulry and Noel Fallon. Best for Mayo were Alan Gavin, Niall McCarney, Ciarán Charlton, Kevin Keena, Darren McTigue and David Kenny.
Referee: C. Browne (Galway). Tweet
