Galway 0-12 Roscommon 0-8
Galway will meet Leitrim in the Connacht championship semi-final in two weeks time following their four point victory over Roscommon at a windswept Pearse Stadium today.
The provincial champions will undoubtedly fancy their chances against a Leitrim side who struggled past New York a fortnight back but Galway must up their game considerably having failed to dominate a disappointing Roscommon side today, despite the tricky conditions.
Galway opened with a strong wind advantage but their lack of scores from play during the first period will have troubled management and fans alike.
John O'Mahony's men registered just two scores from play as they took to the break with a six point (0-9 to 0-3) advantage.
Early frees from Padraig Joyce and 18-year old championship newcomer Michael Meehan edged Galway into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes as former Dublin boss Tom Carr grew frustrated with the poor discipline of his defenders.
Roscommon, content to work the ball patiently from the back, struggled to penetrate a strong Galway defence but Johnathan Dunning and Nigel Dineen should have done better with their respective chances midway through the half after worming their way behind the cover.
Galway captain Kevin Walsh capped off a fine performance in the middle of the park - where he carried young Joe Bergin who went missing once too often - with a long range score minutes before the break to put Galway 09-03 ahead. Joyce had earlier kept the scorebaord ticking over with further frees either side of Ja Fallon's 28th minute introduction.
Roscommon rallied in the second half and brought the game to their opponents but despite some free flowing play, Carr's men failed to trouble Galway on the scoreboard.
Indeed, Frankie Dolan and Stephen O'Neill did reduce the half-time deficit to four points 10 minutes in but it was another 18 minutes before Roscommon raised the umpire's flag again.
In between, Galway half-back Sean Og De Paor pointed from close range following Ja Fallon's enterprising run down the left and then 12 minutes from time Paul Clancy notched the first of his two scores.
Galway closed out the game by sitting back and allowing Roscommon attack. Grehan pointed while Dunning recorded his third with a minute to play but Galway's defence, with Richie Fahey standing out among others, kept a tight shop at the back and easily kept their opponents at arms length throughout.