Galway's defence springs a leak in FBD League final

GALWAY 1-12

JUST when Galway seemed poised to get the water home safely from the well, a leak was sprung and almost in the blink of an eye, all of the contents spilled down the drain at Kiltoom on Sunday last in an entertaining Connacht FBD league final.

Indeed it was even slightly worse than a hole in the bucket – the bottom fell out of it completely – as the Roscommon forwards cut loose in the second half to fire home four goals that helped them to a first FBD success since 1999.

The fields might have to be crossed to access the Kiltoom venue but the ground itself is quite a treat with its compact stand and super winter pitch, that didn’t even show a hint of mud after an hour’s intense play.

Roscommon’s second half goal run won’t be lost on Galway manager Kevin Walsh who will need no reminding that a lot of tightening up needs to be done before this Sunday’s first round National League clash against Meath at Pearse Stadium.

Goal chances were few and far between in the first half of this match as wind assisted Roscommon edged into an insecure enough looking 0-6 to 0-5 interval lead, although there were just a few hints that the home full forward line could inflict some serious damage.

Senan Kilbride was proving to be a handful on the edge of the Galway square and he was desperately unlucky to see one of his flicks come off the upright in the 11th minute while beside him, the corner men of Diarmuid and Ciarán Murtagh, looked lively from limited supply lines.

All hell broke loose in the Galway defence during the first 10 minutes of the second half. Firstly, Diarmuid Murtagh and Senan Kilbride combined to set up Ciarán Murtagh for a clinical close range finish and although the losers replied with points from Michael Martin and Garreth Bradshaw, Roscommon now had the scent of blood.

Nine minutes into the half, Ciarán Murtagh carved open the right side of the Galway defence to set up a tap-in goal for Diarmúid Murtagh – the Rossies cheering had barely died down when Ciarán Cafferkey again bored holes in the Galway defence before rifling the ball into the top corner of Manus Breathnach’s net.

Full report in this week's Connacht Tribune.