Roscommon 0-15

Galway 0-12

By Ivan Smyth at Tuam Stadium

GALWAY minors suffered their first defeat of this year’s Connacht Championship campaign as they came unstuck against a gritty and more economical Roscommon outfit last Friday evening.

Although referee Shane Corcoran wasn’t a popular figure in Tuam Stadium, Neil McHugh’s side lost this game because of their greater unforced error count and wastefulness in attack. The boys in maroon kicked nine wides as opposed to five for their opponents while Galway spurned three goal chances, which was always set to prove crucial.

Galway’s discipline proved a major issue as they conceded 0-10 from frees. This included a two-point free which came when Roscommon’s Sam Hannon was impeded after calling a mark from his side’s kickout with the ball brought forward 50m. Galway were also guilty of not handing back possession to Roscommon at different stages of the contest with Corcoran very strict on this.

If Galway beat Sligo, they will all but confirm a semi final spot at least. The most disappointing aspect of this defeat for Galway will be the fact they will now need results to go their way if they are to obtain a direct route to the provincial final. With both sides having enjoyed comfortable opening round victories, it was little surprise that there was a tense feeling to the early stages.

The opening throes of the game encapsulated the contest as the sides traded the lead but despite Galway controlling possession and looking menacing, their unforced effors and spurned chances allowed Roscommon to grow in stature. The sides shared the opening four scores with Oisín Ó Neachtain and the lively Darragh Costello getting Galway off the mark.

The Roscommon defence appeared apprehensive in the early stages as Eoin Gacquin cut through but despite a direct route to goal, the centre forward tried to take the point but shot off balance as his effort went wide of the mark. Costello almost procured an early goal as his dinked effort bounced off the crossbar and out. Galway continued to enjoy a measure of control as Cian Hynes, who was Galway’s best player on the night, Cillian McPhillips (free) and Cillian O’Toole slotted over.

Hannon kicked a two point free for Roscommon during that spell as the visitors capitalised on Galway’s indiscipline during the second quarter to power in front. For the final 13 minutes of the first half, Roscommon outscored Neil McHugh’s side 0-5 to 0-1 with all the winners’ tally coming from frees.

Hannon and Shay McGuinness frees moved Roscommon level before a Dara Curran placed ball, which came after Gacquin was harshly penalised for not handing the ball back with the free moved into a scoreable position. Curran pushed the gap out before Galway’s sloppy second quarter was encapsulated in first half injury time.

Pictured: Galway’s Eoin Gacquin on the attack against Roscommon’s Shay McGuinness during Friday’s Connacht Minor Football Championship tie at Tuam Stadium. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.