NY GAA: Roscommon wins Intermediate football title

Slowey Leads Rosses to Title

Slowey Leads Rosses to Title

Roscommon 0-9 Offaly 0-8

Roscommon were crowned intermediate champions for 2009 on Sunday after an enthralling final when came back from a three-point deficit and were able to maintain a lead throughout the second half.

A brilliant display by Martin Slowey as he turned back the years was a large part of the victory. He was a constant thorn throughout in all senses. The back line also had a huge game, with five points in 56 minutes outstanding.

Offaly will be disappointed, but the absence of John Purcell was a huge blow. He had a death in the family and our thoughts go out to him and his family.

Vinnie Gavin had two brilliant second half points, but they could not get within the one point as time ran out.

On a slippy and wet surface after two rousing renditions of the anthems, Offaly had a brilliant start. They had three points in the first four minutes, with Colin White and Jason Kelly (two) getting the scores.

Two came when defensive indecisiveness allowed second chances. Offaly took them and punished the Roscommon side.

Two wides also arrived before finally Roscommon got into the game. They had a point after seven minutes when Liam O’Sullivan kicked a free after a long effective Slowey solo run.

Shortly after Shane Russell had a glorious chance at goal when he got a fist to a long delivery from Michael O’Neill, but John McGinley reacted to the danger. His clearance was won by Roscommon, however, and Michael Travers after a lot of work had their second point.

They had their third when Slowey again did the spade work and a quarter in, the sides were level.

The game was now taking on the enthusiasm of the crowd, with Travers pushing his Roscommon teammates into the lead with another excellent effort before O’Sullivan had the fifth as Roscommon had completely turned the game around. They continued to press, but clearances by John Fitzpatrick and Will Holtan kept them at bay.

Offaly clawed back to get their fourth point from Gavin in the 23rd minute that brought them within two, but it was hard work to get into scoring position with John Walsh and Lonan Maguire dominating in the full back line as they came out of the back on four occasions with ball in hand.

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Nster.com