Shine goal sets Roscommon on the way to Connacht final

"The darkest night oft gives way to the brightest dawn". So goes the old adage, which ideally sums up the attitude of players, management and supporters of Roscommon senior footballers following last Sunday's Connacht SFC semi-final victory over Leitrim in the steaming cauldron that was the resplendent Dr. Hyde Park. Before an attendance of 11,924 scorching shirt-sleeved spectators, Fergal O'Donnell's men of Roscommon, having been a point in arrears at referee Joe McQuillan's half-time whistle, emerged with all guns blazing for the second half to hit the Breffni side with 1-2 inside the opening nine minutes, thereby catapulting the Primrose and Blue into a cruise control mode which they would maintain to the finish. Following that none-too-impressive opening championship encounter against London at Ruislip recently, and a first-half performance on Sunday where the sides were deadlocked on five occasions, Roscommon certainly ticked the right boxes in that second period, playing some excellent football in the process and consigning that depressing relegation to league Division 4 a few short months ago, to the back burner. True, that matter will of necessity be addressed in early 2011, but right now the Rossies are eagerly looking forward to their first Connacht SFC final since 2004 on Sunday July 18th, where they will be seeking their 20th title and their first since 2001, against either Galway or Sligo. Exciting times indeed for a county who love their football but Sunday's semi-final was also tinged with sadness as the crowd stood in silent tribute before the game to the memory of the late lamented Philly McGuinness who lined out in the quarter-final just a year ago between the same opponents at Páirc Seán, Carrick-on-Shannon, in his familiar number 10 jersey, which was stood down in a further tribute to the young Mohill player. May he rest in peace. Freetaking duel In soaring temperatures, little would separate the protagonists in a first half dominated by the marksmanship of the respective place kickers-par-excellence - Donal Shine (Roscommon) and Michael Foley (Leitrim). Indeed, we had to wait for the first score from play until the 15th minute, at which stage the scoreboard read 0-2 each. Leitrim's Michael Foley penalised a Roscommon defender for overcarrying (1st minute), negatived three minutes later when Donal Shine punished a foul on Ger Heneghan. A brief spirit of Leitrim pressure ensued but good approach work was spoiled by a trio of eminently scorable wides, when aided by a light breeze blowing into the hospital end of the grounds. Full-back Peter Domican played a captain's part early on, in steadying a rather hesitant Roscommon rearguard, while in a rare attack, a good ball from Karol Mannion, onwards to full-forward Donal Shine, was capably dealt with by Leitrim goalie Enda Lyons. Another brace of pointed frees (courtesy of Messrs. Shine and Foley) then ensued (10th and 11th minutes). With still nothing dividing the teams, Leitrim made a series of forward forays in which they were rewarded with two excellent points both from play (15th and 16th minutes), via full-forward James Glancy (Glencar/Manorhamilton) and wing-forward Michael Foley. Then a superb interception by midfielder Karol Mannion, where he dispossessed Leitrim David O'Connor, led to a foul on John Rogers and Donal Shine pointed the free. Another free was awarded in the 19th minute when the outstanding Cathal Cregg was pulled down, enabling Donal to level the game for the third time. Spectators were kept on their toes by the closeness of the exchanges. Another Foley free and a good effort from play by Bornacoola's O'Connor edged Leitrim two points ahead on 26 minutes. But a fruitful Roscommon attacking spell the produced three points including their first from play courtesy of Ger Heneghan and two further pointed frees from Shine, both brought forward for dissent, had Roscommon ahead again at half-time beckoned. Then, in the 33rd minute, Ger Heneghan, with the goal at his mercy, blasted to the left and wide. At the other end, Foley pointed his fifth free of the half (foul on Ray Cox), before James Glancy (St. Mary's) charged downfield to slot over to give Mickey's Moran's charges an 0-8 to 0-7 advantage at half-time. However, what was, arguably the miss of the match, occurred in added on time, when a Paul Garvey-Donal Shine-John Rogers salvo split open the Leitrim rearguard, but Strokestown's Rogers shot inexplicably wide. Consequently, Leitrim led by a single point at the short whistle, but how different it could have been had those two golden goal opportunities been put away by Heneghan and Rogers. Still on the run of play, the visitors were not flattered to be in front at this juncture. Much of the half-time discussion revolved around the possibility of a draw and a revisit to Carrick on Saturday, but events in the immediate aftermath of the restart made this a receding eventuality. The Rossies seized the initiative from the off and, only for a trio of wides at this stage, they would have gone even further ahead. As it was, Cathal Cregg (a terrific effort from play) and a huge point from a bang-on-from Karol Mannion had the home team back in front five minutes in. And then the score that would ultimately decide this semi-final arrived. Shine strikes In the 44th minute of play another five attacking ball from Karol Mannion saw Donal Shine gaining possession in behind his man. The Clann na nGael sharpshooter does not miss opportunities like this, and he duly dispatched what was a mortal blow to Leitrim hopes when blasting to the net for the game's only goal. In a twinkling, Roscommon were four points to the good, and one sensed that the pendulum was inexorably swinging towards the Primrose and Blue. Subsequent events only confirmed this prognosis, but, following Shine's goal, a spectacular solo from Leitrim corner-forward Ray Mulvey, which saw the St. Mary's player beat a succession of opponents, culminated when his shot came off the upright and was scrambled clear. A prompt response to the Roscommon goal at this stage would have worked wonders for Leitrim but they would not score again from play in this penultimate round clash. The signs 'road blocked" or "no through road" now seemed to appear at every Roscommon defensive function, especially in their half-back line. Here, David Casey produced a Man of the Match display, while Sean Purcell and Cathal Dineen were equally diligent in their rearguard resistance. Further back, solid showings from corner-backs Sean McDermott (though he is inclined to go two for up the pitch from his allotted berth on occasions) and Stephen Ormsby completed a full-back line, with the aforementioned Captain Fantastic Peter Domican, which over the hour only conceded one point from play to their immediate opponents. With a safe as houses Geoffrey Claffey holding an unblemished record between the posts, nothing was going to get past a focused defensive seven and so proved to be the case. From the 45th minute onwards, Roscommon added a further four points (three from play) to their previously amassed 1-9 with David Casey, Cathal Cregg and John Rogers on target, while Donal Shine completed an outstanding and productive afternoon with another pointed free, bringing his total to 1-7. Leitrim, as stated, failed to score from play in that second half and were totally dependent on Michael Foley for their three points from placed balls in a half where their earlier endeavours were very noticeably absent. Their cup of woe was filled to overflowing in the closing stages when midfielder Tom Beirne was dismissed on a second bookable offence. But in truth, that Donal Shine goal was the catalyst which eventually led to their ultimate defeat on this occasion. A repeat of those second-half heroics will ensure that Roscommon will provide a serious challenge for the Nestor Cup on July 18th. This game will have brought them on the proverbial ton with experienced hands blending alongside under-21 starlets. Leitrim now enter the qualifiers but had heroes aplenty, especially in that first half, in Dermot Reynolds, John McKeon, Wayne McKeon, Michael Foley and senior debutant Ray Mulvey. Meanwhile its on resurgent Roscommon who now prepare for the Connacht Final on July 18th. Next up Roscommon now meet Galway or Sligo in Connacht Final in July 18th - if Galway at Dr. Hyde Park, if Sligo at Castlebar or Dr. Hyde Park. ROSCOMMON: Geoffrey Claffey; Sean McDermott, Peter Domican (capt.), Stephen Ormsby; Sean Purcell, Cathal Dineen, David Casey (0-1); Michael Finneran, Karol Mannion (0-1); David Keenan, Paul Garvey, Cathal Cregg (0-2); John Rogers (0-1), Donal Shine (1-7, 0-7f), Ger Heneghan (0-1). Subs: David O'Gara for Garvey (44); Kevin Higgins for Rogers (67). LEITRIM: Enda Lyons, Daniel Beck, John McKeon (capt.), Dermot Reynolds (St. Mary's), James Glancy (St. Mary's, 0-1), Shane Foley, Wayne McKeon, Tomas Beirne, Shane Canning, Colm Clarke, David O'Connor (0-1), Michael Foley (0-8, 7f), Ray Cox, James Glancy (Glencar/Manorhamilton, 0-1), Ray Mulvey. Subs: Dermot Reynolds (Annaduff) for Beck (19); Kevin Conlon for O'Connor (47); Gary Reynolds for Glancy (St. Mary's, 48); Barry Pride for Shane Foley (56); Declan Maxwell for Conlon (59). REFEREE: Joe McQuillan (Cavan), who dismissed Leitrim's Tom Beirne late in the second half (two yellow cards). He also issued seven further yellow cards (four to Roscommon).