Teams & scorers

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Jack Glynn, Eoghan Kelly, Neil Mulcahy; Dylan McHugh (0-1), John Daly, Seán Kelly; Matthew Tierney (0-1), Paul Conroy; Cillian McDaid (0-1), Damien Comer, Peter Cooke; Paul Kelly, Eoin Finnerty, Johnny Heaney (0-1).

Subs: Dessie Conneely (0-3, 3 frees) for Comer (11), Ian Burke (0-1) for P Kelly (h/t), Owen Gallagher for Finnerty (51), Matthew Barrett for Heaney (65).

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Eoin McCormack, Conor Daly, Conor Hussey; Niall Daly, Brian Stack, Robbie Dolan; Tadhg O’Rourke, Keith Doyle; Dylan Ruane, Enda Smith, Ciarán Lennon (01); Daire Cregg (0-1), Conor Cox, Diarmuid Murtagh (0-3, 1 free).

Subs: Ciaráin Murtagh (0-1) for Cox (half-time), Ben O’Carroll (0-2) for Ruane (47), David Murray for McCormack (47), Richard Hughes (0-1) for Doyle (51), Colin Walsh for Murray (65, blood), Paul Carey for D Murtagh (72).

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan). Dylan to a close, Galway 0-5 to 0-3 ahead.

That pattern continued in the third quarter, with Roscommon struggling to make any impact on the scoreboard. When sub Ian Burke scored in the 51st minute, Galway were looking good, 0-8 to 0-4 in front. That’s when Roscommon’s bench came up trumps again. Ben

O’Carroll, Davy Murray and Ciaráin Murtagh were all excellent in the final quarter. There was a new energy about Roscommon now. O’Carroll kicked two super points, then Ciaráin and Diarmuid Murtagh (the latter with a 65th minute free) brought the teams level. The final 10 minutes featured frantic stuff as both sides had chances to get a winning score. With a draw on the cards, Roscommon made one last surge into Galway territory. Niall Daly passed to Richard Hughes and the Roscommon Gaels man steered the ball over from 15 metres. It was over on the kick-out. Roscommon had another superb victory banked.

The large crowd (over 7,000) deserved better than the boring early fare. Roscommon started brightly, but the injury to Galway star Damien Comer cast a shadow over the stadium. Comer received a warm ovation as he was stretchered off after a lengthy stoppage. We wish him a quick recovery.

It was a big blow to Galway. That said, they were the better team in the first half, worth their 0-5 to 0-3 lead, Roscommon grateful that Diarmuid Murtagh’s score before the break ended a long barren period, after early points from Daire Cregg and a lively Ciarán Lennon.

Roscommon had been guilty of some poor shot selection. It was frustrating for visiting supporters to see ambitious shots sail wide, often after good (if laboured) build-up play.

At 0-8 to 0-4 behind, and while they hadn’t been found wanting for spirit and composure, Roscommon were heading for defeat. That’s when those subs ignited Roscommon, instilled new belief.

Ben O’Carroll pirouetted into open spaces with intent from the moment he was called into battle. When O’Carroll got his first ball, he scored with customary brilliance, his marker as baffled as any victim of a three-card trick merchant.

Burke’s men owned the final quarter, slowly, brilliantly, hauling Galway in. Such a transformation had seemed unlikely a short while earlier.

Entering time added on, the visitors were level. The atmosphere was now electric, supporters on edge. Galway were playing their part too. In truth, either side could have won it. A previously ordinary game had unearthed some drama once it reached the business end.

When Galway were dubiously penalised for overcarrying, Roscommon were like a predator sensing blood. The ever-influential Niall Daly timed his handpass to Richard Hughes perfectly, inviting the Gaels man to claim the day. Hughes kept his composure, dissecting the posts and writing an unlikely punchline to this slightly curious story. There had been nothing much between the sides, but Roscommon were superb in that last quarter, when it mattered most.

Ruane lined out in the half-back line as Roscommon maintained their winning ways in the Allianz NFL.