Wasteful Roscommon pay the price as Offaly triumph

Offaly 1-14 Roscommon 1-11 - EirGrid All-Ireland U-20 FC final

There was a huge sense of disappointment for Roscommon as Offaly emerged victorious in the All-Ireland U20 football final at Croke Park this afternoon (Sunday).

When Jack Bryant’s goal gave Offaly a 1-13 to 0-9 lead with just over ten minutes to go, the Faithful men had one hand on the trophy. But Declan Kelly’s charges had to withstand a late Roscommon comeback before eventually clinching a deserved victory by three points.

Adam McDermott’s 56th-minute goal raised Roscommon hopes that they could pull the game out of the fire or at least force extra-time. With Roscommon subs Charlie Carthy and Jason Doory scoring points, Offaly’s lead was cut to two points (1-13 to 1-11) as full-time approached.

But Offaly held their nerve under pressure with Morgan Tynan’s point from a free proving the last score, despite Roscommon’s despairing efforts to conjure an equalising goal.

The Roscommon starting team included three St Brigid's players - Ruaidhrí Fallon, Robbie Dolan and Ben O’Carroll - while their clubmate Sean Trundle was introduced as a substitute.

Clann na nGael was represented on the starting XV by Patrick Gavin, who produced an excellent display and was undoubtedly one of Roscommon's best players on the day.

Conor Lohan of Padraig Pearses was also part of the starting team, as were St Dominic's duo Jack Lohan and Keith Doyle.

Overall, Roscommon paid the price for missing gilt-edged goal chances in the first half. Offaly goalie Seán O’Toole denied James Fitzpatrick early on while Roscommon corner-forward Darragh Heneghan dragged the ball wide when well placed a few minutes later.

At the other end, a more clinical and composed Offaly side took a greater proportion of their scoring opportunities. Offaly led 0-7 to 0-5 at half-time and although both sides had six wides apiece, Roscommon’s misses were the more glaring.

The eventual winners took command in the third quarter, outscoring Liam Wynne's men by 0-6 to 0-2 to lead 0-13 to 0-7 at the second water break. Aaron Kellaghan built on the two superb points he kicked in the first half by raising two more white flags (one mark). And the typically energetic Cormac Egan scored his second point during this spell of Offaly dominance.

The all-important Offaly goal came following great work from Cathal Donoghue and lively sub Keith O’Neill, who passed inside to Bryant. The Shamrocks attacker – a thorn in the side of the Roscommon defence throughout – rattled the net with aplomb off his right foot.

Yet Offaly fans had to endure a nervy finale, including four minutes of added time, before the celebrations could begin in earnest.

Amid rapturous scenes, Offaly captain Kieran Dolan lifted the Tim Clarke Cup. Dolan had missed the Leinster final and All-Ireland semi-final through injury, but he recovered sufficiently to be introduced as a late substitute and was given a great reception by Offaly supporters.

Cathal Donoghue deputised as captain and the Kilcormac-Killoughey player produced an outstanding display in the All-Ireland final, winning plenty of possession and scoring two points. Donoghue was chosen as the official man of the match award winner afterwards.

SCORERS - Offaly: J Bryant 1-2; A Kellaghan 0-4 (1 mark); M Tynan 0-4 (2f, 1 ‘45’); C Donoghue and C Egan 0-2 each. Roscommon: A McDermott 1-2; D Cregg 0-5 (3f); B O’Carroll 0-2 (1f); C Carthy and J Doory 0-1 each.

Offaly: Seán O’Toole; Aaron Brazil, Tom Hyland, Lee Pearson; Rory Egan, John Furlong, Fionn Dempsey; Ed Cullen, Morgan Tynan; Cathal Flynn, Oisín Keenan Martin, Cathal Donoghue; Cormac Egan, Jack Bryant, Aaron Kellaghan. Subs used: Keith O’Neill, Kieran Dolan. Rest of match-day panel: Killian Kavanagh, Adam Kelly, Ciarán Egan, Cathal Ryan, Darragh Flynn, Mikey Cunningham, Cormac Delaney.

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Conor Lohan, Colin Walsh (captain), Dylan Gaughan; Patrick Gavin, Tomás Crean, Jack Lohan; Keith Doyle, Ruaidhrí Fallon; Robbie Dolan, James Fitzpatrick, Daire Cregg; Adam McDermott, Ben O’Carroll, Darragh Heneghan. Subs used: Charlie Carthy, Sean Trundle, David Wynne, Jason Doory, Joseph O’Malley, Enda Crawley. Rest of match-day panel: Daniel Connolly, Fearghus Lennon (Clann na nGael), Michael Dunne.

Referee: Seán Hurson (Tyrone).