Roscommon retain junior title

Early-comers to Páirc Seán MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon, saw a committed and skilled Roscommon team begin what would be a fruitful day for the county with a well merited five-point victory over a Mayo team who easily saw off the challenge of 2008 finalists, Leitrim (2-16 to 0-8) in their Semi-Final. They thus retained the Paddy Brett Cup, having edged out Sligo (0-14 to 1-9) in the semi-final a fortnight ago, bringing their total title haul to 10 in this competition, and their 4th since the dawning of the new Millennium (2000, 2006, 2008 and 2009). A brilliant start saw Michael Jordan"s Rossies roar in front with an unanswered 1-2 in the scorching heat of the beautifully manicured Carrick venue. Clement McCormack"s opening point (on 3 minutes) was followed by a super goal from right half-back Donal Warde (put through by on-form corner forward Ronan Cox), with Kilmore"s Paul Garvey adding a further point for good measure in that sparkling opening salvo. Mayo, clearly rocked by this early blitzkrieg, tried to get back in contention, but while they did get on the scoring sheet with a brace of points from James McAndrew and Marcus Hannick, St. Michael"s sharpshooter Cox replied with a like-tally from play. It was then Ros" turn to miss chances, but two further points from Cox and Garvey (free) brought their tally to 1-6, with James Rafter"s 30th minute Mayo point leaving the half-time score at 1-6 to 0-3 in Roscommon"s favour, but Mayo would enjoy second-half wind advantage. A resurgent Mayo had an impressive opening spell in the second half, out-scoring the holders 0-4 to 0-1 (the latter a Martin Reynolds pointed free) but the score that effectively clinched this final was a 42nd minute Ronan Kelly (Roscommon) goal, a follow-up after Ronan Cox"s effort had hit the post. Mayo fought tenaciously to haul back the deficit, but a strong rearguard action and a late brace of points by sub Darren McDermott saw the Primrose and Blue deservedly retain the title. Roscommon had impressive stars, on the day, in Mark Miley (goals), Kevin Kilcline, Niall Carty, Donal Warde, Ronan Kelly, Paul Garvey and Ronan Cox. SCORERS - Roscommon: D Warde (1-0), R Kelly (1-0), R Cox (0-3), P Garvey (0-2, 1f), D McDermott (0-2), C McCormack (0-1), M Reynolds (0-1f). Mayo: M Hannick (0-4, 1f), J Rafter (0-2), J McAndrew (0-1), K Costello (0-1), D Burke (0-1), F Ruddy (0-1, '45'). ROSCOMMON: Mark Miley, Kevin Kilcline, Mark McLoughlin, Stephen Ormsby, Eamon Towey, Niall Carty, Donal Warde, Paul Freeman, Martin Reynolds (capt),. Clement McCormack, Ronan Kelly, Martin Gilford, Paul Garvey, Derek Moran, Ronan Cox. Subs: Senan O"Grady for Gilford (38 mins), Darren McDermott for Moran (38), Brian Mullen for McCormack (53), Eamon Bannon for Warde (51), Ultan Kelly for R Kelly (59). MAYO: Finan Ruddy, Oliver Feeney, Derek O"Dea, Colm Cafferkey (capt), Dermot Costello, Kevin Carty, Alan Feeney, Francis Burke, Colm Forde, John Healy, James McAndrew, Marcus Hannick, Damien Burke, Martin Keane, James Rafter. Subs: David Kilkenny for Healy (38 mins), Kevin Costello for Forde (44), Alan Egan for D Burke (57). REFEREE: Frank Flynn (Leitrim).