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Roscommon produce the miracle of McHale Park

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

FOUR-PART HARMONY.....Kevin Higgins, Karl Mannion, Donie Shine and captain Peter Domican celebrate the lifting of the Nestor Cup at Castlebar on Sunday. GOL2910

ROSCOMMON produced one of the most memorable performances in many years when overcoming a gallant Sligo to win their first Connacht senior football title since 2001.
This was not just a win but also a message that Roscommon are a team to take seriously and to second guess at your peril. They proved that with bravery, team spirit and most importantly a belief that they could respond to the intense pressure put on them by a team who many thought would canter to a win.
This game will live long in the memory for Roscommon supporters. Grown men stood in the stand with tears in their eyes as Peter Domican lifted the Nestor Cup. Thousands swarmed the McHale Park surface to celebrate with their heroes, the excellent stewards letting all and sundry through. There may have been controversy in Croke Park on Sunday week last but the sight of thousands of Roscommon supporters gathered en masse to celebrate showed all that is good about the GAA and its fans. In fact, it could be said that the view of all those people in primrose and blue as they danced on the grass of McHale Park will be never forgotten.
As is the case with Connacht finals the atmosphere was electric, even expectant among the crowd. Roscommon supporters were confident but cautious. Sligo supporters were hoping that their side could win only it's fourth Connacht title in the county's history. Roscommon were going for their 20th provincial title but their first since Fergal O'Donnell led the team to the Connacht championship in 2001.
Already there was a change in the Roscommon team as they came out for the team photo. David O'Gara entering the fray instead of Paul Garvey who had been a doubt in the hour or so before the game. Senan Kilbride was also togged, giving Roscommon possibly their strongest panel since the start of the year. Even though the MC named Garvey on the starting fifteen, it was clear that O'Gara would be starting the game and any doubt was firmly dismissed as he and the rest of the team listened to the final instructions from their manager.
Sligo had made no change from what had been listed on the programme and as the crowd made their way towards the terraces, the anticipation grew ahead of what would be a unique Connacht final.
Unique it certainly was. Sligo opened the scoring after just 32 seconds through Alan Costello but Roscommon were not going to go away and lead by two points after nine minutes. Donie Shine with a free and a 45' followed by a well worked move that ended with David Casey kicking over. Roscommon were two points ahead and looking good. Michael Finneran was ruling midfield, the full back line was keeping David Kelly quite but Costello was still dangerous and he closed the gap with a good point.
It was way too early to think that Roscommon were going to win this game. They were playing with a strong breeze and it was to their advantage. They were also playing well and Shine and Cregg had them three points clear with a quarter of the game gone. Sligo came back but the gap remained three after Breheny and Keenan swapped points and now the Rossies put the foot on the gas. Shine produced an incredible catch and kicked point before Colm McGee pulled one back for the Sligo men. But every time Sligo threatened Roscommon came back. David O'Gara this time with the score before Shine added another free. If Roscommon supporters were dreaming then they were certainly in dreamland when Shine's free from the best part of 55 metres had them six points clear with the game going into injury time.
But there is one thing about dreaming, something can always wake you up and Sligo gave Roscommon a serious wake up call when Adrian Marren tapped over two points. The gap was now four and Sligo would have the wind in the second half. A worrying position for many Roscommon supporters as they made their way towards a welcome cup of tea at half time. Unfortunately the sandwiches were absent without leave but that is for another day.
The second half was delayed due to a supporter finding his way on the pitch but that was handled efficiently by the Gardai who escorted him from the playing area with the minimum of fuss.
If the first half was close, the second was like a high quality chess match between two grand masters. Both sides trying to create a move that would result in checkmate. Sligo moved first but was countered by the incredible work of Cregg. Then Roscommon moved only for chances to go a begging. Sligo introduced Kenneth Sweeney and the impact was immediate. They also brought in Sean Davey. Adrian Marren would close the gap to three points four minutes into the second half but ten minutes later Shine would again find his scoring boots. Sligo hit back with a good point from Charlie Harrison but Shine was back in the groove and he scored an excellent free.
A goal at this stage for Sligo could have changed the game around and they went close. A ball in from Harrison found David Kelly. Sligo's star forward got through the cover and went one on one with Geoffrey Claffey. The Castlerea columbine somehow got down to his right to deny Kelly who would have bee odds on to score. In making the safe he was unfortunate to have touched the ball on the ground but to concede the point was a safe concession to make and it kept Roscommon ahead.
The Sligo players needed something very special and in Alan Costello they had one. The former Mayo player was on form and his two points in the space of a minute had closed the gap to a single point before Sean Davey sent over a wonder score to level the match with eight minutes left. Now we were in a match and Roscommon were under pressure. However, with Peter Domican and Sean McDermott on top of the Sligo forwards, the Rossies pushed on once more. Cathal Cregg was fouled and Shine converted the free. Sligo came back once more and they deserve great credit where lesser teams may have lay down and died. Costello with an incredible point that levelled matters as the game entered injury time. But Roscommon were not to be denied and when John Dunning made his break up field one could feel that there may be a winner. He was fouled and Shine faced a difficult kick. The Clan man made no mistake as fired over the bar. Roscommon were in front once again. Sligo did have one more chance but Davey's shot veered wide. Karol Mannion and Sean McDermott also stood tall with important catches as Sligo pushed forward. Following nearly three minutes of injury time, referee Jimmy White blew the full time whistle leading to scenes of jubilation among the Roscommon support as they celebrated their 20th Connacht title and their first since 2001. A day to remember for all who were there.

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