Goals from Shane Cunnane, Enda Smith and Ben O’Carroll proved to be the decisive scores for Roscommon in their 3-23 to 0-21 Connacht FBD semi-final win against Sligo at the Connacht GAA Air Dome in Bekan on Saturday night.
Roscommon scored three points in the opening three minute on the quick artificial surface and were never behind in this entertaining semi-final contest.
Foward Conor Cox supplied 11 of Roscommon’s points but he was outscored by Sligo’s Niall Murphy, who racked up 0-13 of Sligo’s tally with another impressive display indoors.
However, a key moment in the game involved Murphy having a penalty saved just before half-time.
This was just moments after Roscommon had found the Sligo net for the first time through Cunnane to move 1-13 to 0-9 clear.
Sligo were awarded the penalty seconds later when Pat Hughes was fouled. But Murphy’s well struck kick was well saved by Roscommon keeper Conor Carroll.
Enda Smith’s charging run and finish to back of the Sligo net in the closing quarter was, arguably, the score of the night.
It put daylight between the teams on the scoreboard – O’Carroll’s goal in added time was the cherry on top.
Roscommon now face Galway in the Connacht FBD final next Friday evening in the Air Dome (6pm).
For Sligo, attention now turns to their opening match in Division 4 of the Allianz Football Leauge, away to Wexford on Sunday, January 30th.
Connacht FBD semi-final results
Roscommon 3-23 Sligo 0-21
Galway 0-17 Mayo 0-13.
