Pádraig Pearses back on top in Roscommon

Pádraig Pearses 2-8 Clann na nGael 0-11

Pádraig Pearses cemented their greatness in the annals of Roscommon GAA folklore with their second county senior football title in three years at Dr Hyde Park.

Second half goals from Paul Carey and Jack Tumulty did the trick but, in truth, a three-point victory was the least Pearses deserved after being much the better side over the 60 minutes.

The 2019 winners made the more enterprising start and looked far more dangerous in the first quarter.

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Some patient build-up play yielded the opening score of the game for Niall Daly after two minutes. A minute later, a foul on Paul Carey resulted in a free for the Pearses corner-forward.

Clann na nGael goalkeeper Ronan O’Reilly was called into action in the tenth minute to deny Lorcan Daly, although there was some consolation for Pearses when the subsequent ‘45 was worked to Hubert Darcy for one of the scores of the half.

Ciarán Lennon opened Clann na nGael’s account, which was cancelled out by Conor Daly. But Pearses wouldn’t score again as weather conditions worsened. But all Clann had to show for their efforts was a couple of Ciarán Lennon frees to leave his side trailing by 0-4 to 0-3 at the break.

The second half was a much brighter affair as both teams threw off the shackles. Pearses goals came at the right time to stave off any notions of a Clann comeback.

Carey fisted a point 25 seconds into the new half, but scores from Ciarán Lennon and Cathal Duignan brought the sides level by the 34th minute.

Then, in the 36th minute, the game’s first decisive score arrived when Carey, after being fed by Darcy from a quick free, took advantage of a slip by Clann defender Paddy Gavin to grab what looked like a match-defining goal.

To Clann’s credit, they refused to wilt with excellent points from play by Ultan Harney, Darra Pettit and Shane Pettit.

But when substitute Jack Tumulty finished off a brilliant team move in injury time, Pearses were on their way to a second title in the club’s history.

Pádraig Pearses: P. Whelan; M. Richardson, A. Butler, G. Downey; C. Lohan, R. Daly, D. Murray; N. Daly (0-1), C. Daly (0-1); L. Daly (0-1), N. Carty, S. Carty; C. Payne, H. Darcy (0-2), P. Carey (1-3, 0-2f). Subs used: J. Tumulty (1-0) for S. Carty (53 mins), A Feehily for Richardson (60 mins), E. Kelly for Payne (60 mins), S. Ryan for Carey (60 mins), S. Mulvey for L. Daly (60 mins).

Clann na nGael: R. O'Reilly; J. Connaughton, D. Pettit (0-1), Fearghal Lennon; P. Gavin, S. Pettit (0-1), C. Duignan (0-1); O. Lennon, G. Pettit; E. Kenny, U. Harney (0-1), C. McManus; D. McManus, C. Lennon (0-6, 0-4f, 0-1m) I. Harney. Subs used: D. Duff for Duignan (45 mins), Fearghus Lennon for G. Pettit (45 mins), C. Callinan for I. Harney (58 mins), J. Lennon (0-1) for Fearghus Lennon (60 mins).

Referee: P. McTiernan.