Galway put early struggles behind to sink the Rossies

Galway 1-14

Roscommon 0-11

AN unanswered 1-7 just before and after half-time was pivotal in securing Galway their first FBD Final win since 2017 and, more importantly, boosted the Tribesmen’s confidence ahead of their National League opener against Monaghan on Sunday.

For the sixth year in a row, Galway and Roscommon were meeting in the FBD Final, with Roscommon having won the last two. Certainly, in the early stages, the Rossies looked on course to succeed again, but when Galway boss Padraic Joyce called Paul Conroy from the stands in the second quarter, it was all to change.

By the 23rd minute, Roscommon led 0-5 to 0-2, with points from captain Shane Walsh and Michael Boyle just about keeping the visitors in touch against a Roscommon outfit that looked a step ahead of the game. The Tribesmen needed a spark.

Conroy provided it, coming off the bench to immediately get in the Rossies’ faces and causing enough consternation between all to earn himself a yellow card from referee Jerome Henry.

He must have annoyed the Rossies no end because, after that, they lost their composure and they failed to raise a flag again in the ensuing 20 minutes (plus first half injury-time). In addition, they had centre-half forward Enda Smith sin-binned following a black card offence on Shane Walsh on 34 minutes, so reducing them to 14 players in this crucial spell.

In contrast, Galway, now with the dander raised, began to land points for fun as Robert Finnerty, with two, and Shane Walsh (three frees) tallied five without reply to move Galway into a 0-7 to 0-5 interval lead.

The Tribesmen continued to pour on the pressure after the break and in the opening minute Shane Walsh netted, only for referee Henry to call back the play for a penalty instead of playing the advantage.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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