Rossies rejoice as superb Shine seals Connacht crown

Almost all the pundits stated it couldn't be done, despite an All-Ireland MFC title in 2006 and a Connacht under-21 FC crown (and against Sligo opposition to boot in the Provincial Final at Markievicz Park) a few months ago. Roscommon were expected to provide little more than cannon fodder for a Yeats County side whose favouritism was predicated on deserved championship wins over Mayo and Galway respectively, but sure didn't the Connacht High Kings fall in subsequent qualifiers to Longford and Wexford opposition in turn, neither of whom with the greatest respect, are currently regarded among the heavy hitters of Gaelic football. True, the Rossies suffered a terrible defeat to Mayo on their last championship outing in McHale Park a year ago, subsequently dropping to Division 4 after a poor league campaign, but what about that win over Louth in Drogheda in view of subsequent events? Still, those wins over London and Leitrim didn't inspire confidence. Such conflicting thoughts occupied this reporter's mind as the Mayo hills came into view on Sunday afternoon last and the rainy midlands gave way to a more summery scenario. It was truly a unique occasion, bridging a 63-year gap since the primrose and blue and black and white colours last dominated together at the Connacht SFC final showpiece, with the 23,573 attendance creating an atmosphere commensurate with Rossie-Yeats county rivalry 2010 style. Times were different in 1947. A huge crescendo of sound greeted both teams at the magnificently refurbished Castlebar venue with listed Roscommon no. 11 Paul Garvey not starting, and replaced by David O'Gara at centre forward against an 'as selected' Sligo fifteen. When wing-forward Alan Costello, one of the North Western stars in subsequent play, had his side ahead with a fine point inside the opening minute, early portents suggested that Kevin Walsh's charges were chomping at the bit, to maintain their turbo-charged Connacht campaign to date. But this would be the only time during the contest that they would lead, and it lasted barely sixty seconds. Roscommon would proceed to tear the form book in shreds as they unfolded a game plan which would sow the seeds of annexing their 20th senior crown come the final whistle. Total dominance in the midfield sector, thanks to stunning showcases from Karol Mannion and the outstanding Michael Finneran (St Dominic's), accrued, which led eventually to the replacing of the Sligo duo of Tony Taylor (though he did carry a knee injury into the game) and later Stephen Gilmartin. In their contests to date a tour-de-force of Sligo's play was winning critical breaking ball and creating openings as their half-back line consequently overlapped with their marauding forwards, inspired by Tubbercurry's David Kelly. This time, it was the Rossies who were kingpins at winning the modern day definition of 'dirty ball' none more so than wing-backs Sean Purcell and David Casey with their half-forward trio of David Keenan, David O'Gara and in particular Cathal Cregg, working tigerishly against, arguably, Sligo's strongest line and crucially all scoring from play before the break. Shine's masterclass Once again, 21-year-old Donal Shine would turn in another herculean performance as leader of the attack. He ended the match as he did with his club Clann na nGael against St. Aidan's a fortnight ago, with the astounding total of ten points from frees and play to his credit, giving full-back Noel McGuire a torrid tune in the process. Why Sligo, as they had done against Mayo in the earlier round, didn't deploy Eamonn O'Hara as a sweeper in front of McGuire to curb the rampant Clann clubman, was indeed puzzling in the extreme. Donal won loads of possession over the hour, forcing Sligo into the concession of crucial frees, most of which were mercilessly punished by his deadly accuracy. This was another major contributing factor to the Roscommon ultimate success. Indeed it was left to the Yeats county's corner-backs, team captain Charlie Harrison and Ross Donovan to, for the most part, repulse many dangerous Roscommon raids, in which they succeeded in great measure, each holding their immediate opponents scoreless throughout. Roscommon manager Fergal O'Donnell and his selectors Stephen Bohan, Mark Dowd and Declan Hoare, certainly had their homework done for this final, negativing many of Sligo's known strong points, and to complete an excellent all-round display of hard work, ability and determination had a top class trio of Sean McDermott, team captain Peter Domican and Stephen Ormsby doing the housekeeping par excellence in the full-back line, while the safe as houses Geoffrey Claffey made one especially outstanding block from David Kelly five minutes into the second half. It was against this background that Roscommon - operating on a plain several storeys higher than against either London or (in the first half) Leitrim in the earlier rounds, set out their stay following that opening Sligo point. With the superb Shine accumulating six points (2 frees and a '45' included) and David Casey storming upfield to bisect the uprights, the half-forward trio of Keenan, O'Gara and Cregg all found the target in an opening half where the rank outsiders made light of previous performances on this pitch to gradually pull away from the pre-match favourites who had only added three further points to their opening score until first half stoppage time. Alan Costello (12 minutes), Mark Breheny (free, 19 minutes) and Colm McGee ('45', 26 minutes) were their only responses until an impressive late salvo in added-time produced a brace of points by Adrian Marren (from play when placed by Eamonn O'Hara, and a free following a foul on David Kelly). Earlier in the half, hard-working Johnny Davey (St. Mary's) deserved better after a strong solo from half back deep into Roscommon's half. Consequently Sligo, although not playing to their optimum level could feel reasonably pleased to be only four points adrift (0-10 to 0-6) followed a half in which Roscommon enjoyed the lion's share of play. Team boss Kevin Walsh certainly had words to say to his charges at the interval as the Yeats county emerged in determined mood, but an early brace of wides (with a third to Roscommon) accrued in the many minutes. Though closely marked, the scoring hero from recent outings, David Kelly was still winning good primary possession and the Tubbercurry man came within a whisker of raising a green flag, five minutes in, only to be denied in heroic manner by the red-alert Geoffrey Claffey between the Roscommon posts. Adrian Marren pointed in ensuring play, but further Sligo raids were repulsed by sterling Roscommon resistance, and maintaining their stranglehold of the breaking ball. Donal Shine would be Roscommon's only second-half scorer and his brace of points (one free), either side of a rallying score by Sligo skipper Charlie Harrison, ensured that the margin would remain four points as the final quarter dawned of a high octane decider, played an exemplary manner throughout. Tense finish Sligo, however, have not earned a high championship and league rating in 2010 for nothing. They would now produce their best football by far of the game in a fruitful spell which brought them level on the scoreboard. Subs Kenneth Sweeney and Sean Davey with the outstanding Alan Costello (who finished the match with five points from play) and Eamonn O'Hara were instrumental in this revival . Coolera/Strandhill's Costello (2 from play) Sean Davey and Mark Breheny (free) had their huge support on song as the scoreboard read 0-12 each. Where would the Nestor Cup be heading was the question on everybody's lips. But the ceaseless foraging of Cathal Cregg drew a free pointed by Donal Shine edging Roscommon ahead again. Not be outdone Sligo stormed back and that man again Alan Costello lofted over his fifth point from play of the evening with three minutes left. A draw and a return to Hyde Park on Saturday evening were now looking likely in the unbearable tension, but Roscommon again dug deep. Substitute John Dunning forced a foul, but despite the angle, the mighty Shine did what he excels at by unerringly converting the free. Both team made late substitutions and Sligo made a late, late surge but Roscommon defended desperately to prevent another equaliser forced a free out followed almost immediately by the long whistle. It was close, mighty close but the primrose and blue had made a statement of intent, on a field which has brought many disappointments, to defy the critics and take their 20th Connacht crown. The late Dermot Earley could not have received a finer tribute. Now couldn't it be done? Next up Roscommon are in the All-Ireland quarter-finals at Croke Park. Sligo play Down in the fourth round of the All-Ireland qualifiers. ROSCOMMON: Geoffrey Claffey; Sean McDermott, Peter Domican (capt.), Stephen Ormsby; Sean Purcell, Cathal Dineen, David Casey (0-1); Michael Finneran, Karol Mannion; David Keenan (0-1), David O'Gara (0-1), Cathal Cregg (0-1); John Rogers, Donal Shine (0-10, 6f, 0-1 '45), Ger Heneghan. Subs: Kevin Higgins for Rogers (61), John Dunning for O'Gara (67), Paul Garvey for Dineen (69) Colm Garvey for Casey (61). SLIGO: Philip Greene; Charlie Harrison (capt., 0-1), Noel McGuire, Ross Donovan; Keelan Cawley, Brendan Phillips, Johnny Davey; Tony Taylor, Stephen Gilmartin; Alan Costello (0-5), Mark Breheny (0-2, 2f) Eamonn O'Hara; Colm McGee (0-1, '45), Adrian Marren (0-3, 1f), David Kelly. Subs: Eugene Mullen for Taylor (27), Kenneth Sweeney for McGee (43), Sean Davey (0-1) for Gilmartin (45), Neil Ewing for Phillips (57) and Stephen Coen for Breheny (71). REFEREE: Jimmy White (Donegal), who issued five yellow cards, three to Sligo.