Roscommon claim Connacht U20 crown after second half goal glut

Roscommon 3-13 Galway 0-17

Roscommon claimed a terrific Connacht U-20 title as three second-half goals laid the platform for a famous victory at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

Noel Dunning's side, despite a surge of energy early on, trailed by two points at the break, but three second-half goals from Niall O’Donnell, Shane McGinley and substitute Ryan Dowling sealed a famous win.

Galway kicked all but four of their 17 points from play, but their aspirations were unravelled by Roscommon’s ability to find the net at crucial junctures of the second period.

The winners made a blistering start with early points from Senan Lambe, Rory Hester and Shane McGinley. When McGinley tagged on his side’s fourth point, from a free, after only seven minutes, Galway had yet to register a shot of note.

But once the Tribesmen found their range, they quickly wiped out that deficit with a couple of scores each from the impressive Jack Mullen and Colm Costello.

A mark apiece by McGinley and team captain, Bobby Nugent, restored Roscommon’s lead but Galway hit the next four points through Fionn MacDonnacha, Shay McGlinchey, Mark Mannion and MacDonnacha (mark) to lead 0-08 to 0-06 at the break.

Two minutes after the restart, Roscommon were motoring again when great work by McGinley allowed Niall O’Donnell palm the ball into the net.

McGinley added a free before Rob Heneghan flashed a shot over the bar to open up a three-point lead for the "Primrose and Blue".

Both Ross Coen and Ryan Dowling marked their introductions with scores for their respective sides, but with Roscommon leading by 1-10 to 0-12, McGinley pounced for a second goal after Conor Ryan and Conor Harley did well in the build-up.

Galway came again with Mullen, MacDonnacha and Colm