Roscommon fought back to stun Galway and claim their first Connacht title since 2019.
The hosts got off to a sluggish start. Rob Finnerty buried the ball past Conor Carroll to the back of the Roscommon net.
Diarmuid Murtagh responded for Roscommon but a Shane Walshe 45 and a Finnerty point from play put Galway into a strong position after six minutes. The tribesman led 1-2 to 0-1.
Roscommon’s 11 minute scoring draught came to an end when Diarmuid Murtagh tapped over a free on 12 minutes.
A pair of two pointers from Shane Walsh and Paul Conroy pushed Galway further ahead. Padraig Joyce’s men were making full use of the breeze in the first-half.
Senan Lambe and Diarmuid Murtagh responded for Roscommon but Kieran Molloy broke down field and kicked another two-pointer for Galway after 20 minutes.
Two goals in the space of a minute for Roscommon dragged them back into the game! Robert and Darragh Heneghan found the back of the Galway net.
Paul Conroy landed another two-pointer for Galway but Roscommon replied again through Dylan Ruane, Keith Doyle and Diarmuid Murtagh.
Shane Walshe added another two-pointer for Galway on the brink of half-time as Galway took a three point lead to the break. At half-time Galway led by three, 1-14 to 2-8.
Conor Ryan got the two opening scores of the second-half and Roscommon’s first when he flicked over a shot that dropped short and then when he landed a huge two pointer.
Darragh Heneghan and Shane Walsh traded points for either side before Darragh Heneghan split the Galway defence and found the Galway net.
Galway take second-half control
Damien Comer left a point between the sides before Shane Walsh kicked a two-pointer into the face of a sting breeze, as Galway retook the lead.
Damien Comer and Sean Kelly kicked Galway into a three point lead on 59 minutes. Comer blasted the ball to the Roscommon net, as Galway led by six and it looked all over.
With 60 minutes played Galway led, 2-22 to 3-13.
However, a Roscommon revival began. Paul Carey kicked a two pointer on 62 minutes.
Conor Carroll struck a 45 for Roscommon before Darragh Cregg kept his cool kicking a vital two-pointer with three minutes remaining as Roscommon trailed by one.
A captain’s score from Diarmuid Murtagh with 68 minutes on the clock left Roscommon two in front.
Murtagh landed a huge two-pointer before getting the all-important final score as Roscommon went two ahead with 90 seconds remaining.
Galway tried to work a two-pointer at the death but it wasn’t to be as Roscommon claimed their first Connacht title since 2019 and their first on home soil in 25 years.
Roscommon running out two point winners, 3-21 to 2-22.
