Dublin see off Rossies in lively junior decider to bridge long gap for title

Despite having a man sent off with nine minutes to go in this entertaining All-Ireland JFC final, at Portlaoise last Saturday evening, Dublin went on to out-score Roscommon by 0-4 to 0-1 in the final stages, thereby emerging victorious on an 0-13 to 0-7 scoreline. The Metropolitans, thus, took their 6th title in this grade, and their first since 1960 (they won the 'Home' Final in 1971 but lost to London in the decider proper), thereby bridging a gap of 48 years against a Primrose and Blue outfit who had last tasted success in Millennium Year, their second crown, having gone a full sixty years since their first in 1940. No strangers to each other over the years at Premier grade, Dublin and the Rossies had not crossed swords since 1939 at Junior level, when the Metropolitans won the 'Home' Final in that year. And so, a bit of history was made in the glorious sunshine of O"Moore Park in Saturday"s curtain-raiser to the Laois/Down Qualifier game. A good crowd, estimated at 2,000, had gathered for the 5pm throw-in, with the usual loyal Roscommon support anticipating a strong showing from their favourites who had overcome Mayo and Leitrim opposition in their Connacht campaign, before a one-point victory over Kerry in that rather quirky All-Ireland Semi-Final. Dublin, on the other hand, signalled their intent by seeing off Cavan, Kildare and Meath before routing Gloucestershire (in Cardiff) in their penultimate clash. It was the Sky Blues who made the more impressive start in the intense heat of Portlaoise, with corner-forward Adrian Darcy pointing within 30 seconds of the throw-in, followed two minutes later by a pointed free by the campaign"s top scorer to date, Warren Finnegan (free). The the enforced withdrawal, through injury, of the vastly experienced John Whyte, who started at corner-back, an early setback for Michael Jordan"s charges. The Padraig Pearses stalwart was replaced by Ronan Brady, who proceeded to play an influential role for his side. However, the Dubs were exercising a visible midfield ascendancy from the off, where Colin Daly and, in particular, Denis Bastic, were enjoying the better of exchanges in this sector. Their subsequent tactics couldn"t be simpler - Route One all the way with high ball into their full-forward line where No. 14 Owen O"Gara was winning loads of primary possession and spraying passes left and right to outside runners. O"Gara drew a great save from alert custodian Michael Miley before Roscommon got on the scoreboard when wing-back Eamon Towey thundered upfield to send over a brilliant 5th minute point. O"Gara again showed his prowess when landing his side"s third point (7th minute), but Roscommon cut arrears when, following a foul on full-forward Fintan Cregg, Derek Moran pointed the resultant free. Still, that Dublin midfield ascendancy continued, together with a tenacious display from their half-back line where wingers Michael White and Niall Brogan mopped up a lot of breaking ball, and the next two points fell their way. Following a spectacular midfield catch from Bastic, centre-forward Karl Connolly pointed, and the No. 11 repeated the dose (13th minute), after another Bastic-O"Gara build-up. This pair were crucifying Roscommon at this remove, and it took diligent work from defenders Niall Carty and, in particular, team captain Ray Cox, to keep the marauding Metropolitans at bay. The Dubs almost goaled in the 18th minute when a long ball from Warren Finnegan found midfielder Colin Daly, but the Skerries Harps player"s parting shot slammed off the crossbar, with Finnegan pointing the rebound. This near-miss coming at a time when a Dublin goal could have scuttled Ros" hopes, gave renewed heart to a resurgent Primrose and Blue. In the final eight minutes of the half, they responded brilliantly with a triduum of points - a Frankie Dolan special was followed by an equally superlative effort from Fintan Cregg who shipped three tackles before lofting over a glorious score. And the renaissance continued when Derek Moran pointed a 28th minute free to give his side a tremendous boost, going in at the break only a point (0-6 to 0-5) in arrears. It was now all to play for. But Dublin would go on to re-impose their authority on proceedings. An unanswered three points (39th, 40th and 41st minutes), per the irrepressible Bastic (2) and wing-forward Jonathan Cooper put them in the driving seat, and it wasn"t until the 50th minute that Roscommon (per sub. Ronan Brady) had their first point of this half. Half-back Michael White 'saw red' for the Dubs, following a second bookable offence, but the 51st minute numerical deficiency only seemed to spur his colleagues to greater heights. Four late points - per Adrian Darcy (2 frees), Jonathan Cooper and recent senior star, Darren Homan (who had been introduced as a sub), imprimatured what was now certain victory, as midfielder Brian Higgins pointed for Roscommon"s only reply. And so, at full time Dublin had ensured their 6th title. Roscommon didn"t show the determination and prowess that typified their Connacht campaign. Dublin, except for that period coming up to half-time, were the stronger and more focused outfit on the evening. On the evening, Roscommon"s best players were in defence, especially goalie Mark Miley, Niall Carty, Ray Cox and (1st half) Eamon Towey. Midfield was ineffective, and in attack which overall lacked scoring power and where three starting forwards were replaced, with Derek Moran, Frankie Dolan and Fintan Cregg threatening most up front. Scorers: Dublin - A Darcy (0-3, 2fs), W Finnegan (0-2, 1f), K Connolly (0-2), J Cooper (0-2), D Bastic (0-2), O O"Gara (0-1), D Homan (0-1). Roscommon - D Moran (0-2, 2fs), E Towey (0-1), F Dolan (0-1), F Cregg (0-1), R Brady (0-1), B Higgins (0-1). Dublin - Colin Clarke, Darren Daly, Michael Fitzsimons, Colin Prenderville, Michael White, Austin Dennis, Niall Brogan, Denis Bastic, Colin Daly, Ronan Joyce, Karl Connolly, Jonathan Cooper, Warren Finnegan, Owen O"Gara, Adrian Darcy. Subs: Darren Homan for Joyce (41), Niall Tormey for Connolly (61). Roscommon - Mark Miley (St. Dominic"s), Niall Carty (Padraig Pearses), Raymond Cox (capt), John Whyte (Padraig Pearses), Eamon Towey, Jonathan Harte, Colm Garvey, Brian Higgins, Martin Reynolds, Derek Moran, James McKeague, Kevin Higgins, Frankie Dolan (St. Brigid"s), Fintan Cregg, Paul Garvey. Subs: Ronan Brady for Whyte (inj. 6), Mark O"Donoghue for P Garvey (37), Donal Ward for Towey (42), Cathal McHugh (St. Brigid"s) for Higgins (45), Michael Killilea for McKeague (56). Referee: Martin Sludden (Tyrone).