Roscommon Gaels easily retained their senior football title yesterday in a disappointing final at Hyde Park. The loss through injury of county star Don Connellan proved too much for Kilmore who struggled for much of the game.

The Gaels led 0-5 to 0-2 at the break after playing with a strong breeze in the first half. Nine minutes into the second they had doubled their advantage with three points from Fergal O'Donnell, Clifford McDonald and Michael Costello.

The losers reduced the deficit with points from Briain Carroll and Kevin Stritch before freetaker Pat Caslin scored twice to put them within two points. However, the Gaels finished the stronger in the closing minutes with points from Michael McHale and McDonald sealing their victory.

ROSCOMMON GAELS: C Grogan, P Hoey, B McNeela, M Costello (0-1), M Ryan, C Heneghan, P Noone, L McNeill, F O'Donnell (0-1), M McHale (0-4 from frees), C McDonald (04), A Nolan, R Shannon, G Kelly, J Comiskey. Sub: J Hanley for Shannon.

KILMORE: A Egan, S Murray, D Carroll, A Caslin, P Carney, P Carroll, B Bourke, D Carney, G Carroll, P Caslin (0-3 from frees) F Carroll, B Carroll (0-2), E Flood J Gilchreest, K Stritch (0-1). Subs: B Lavin for Gilchreest; G Garvey for D Kearney.

Referee: J Tarmey (St Faithleachs).