Roscommon opened their 2022 campaign with a convincing 3-23 to 0-21 win over Sligo to make the FBD cup final.
A debut goal from Diarmuid McGann and late second-half goals from Enda Smith and Ben O’Carroll saw Roscommon to victory along with 11 Conor Cox points.
Roscommon got off to a flying start. Two Conor Cox points (one free) and one each from Cathal Heneghan and Shane Cunnane saw Roscommon lead four points to nil after four minutes.
Three Donie Smith frees and another Cox point saw Roscommon lead eight points to five at the water break.
Roscommon took control after the water break. Two points from Cox, plus each one from Cunnane, Ciaran Sugure, Cathal Heneghan moved Roscommon 13 points to eight ahead.
The game swung just before the half-time whistle. Diarmuid McGann found the Sligo net on his debut.
Within 60 seconds Conor Carroll saved Niall Murphy’s penalty as Roscommon led 1-13 to eight points at half-time.
Sligo had the better of it after the restart, but Roscommon had built a good lead. Four points from Conor Cox including two frees saw Roscommon lead 1-18 to 15 at the second water break.
A Cox point and a Donie Smith free moved the Roscommon further ahead. Enda Smith buried the ball to the net after a good run to seal a final place.
Cox and Derwin added bonus points before Ben O’Carroll found Roscommon’s third goal on the full-time whistle to seal the 3-23 to 21 point win.
Roscommon will play Galway in the FBD Cup final on Friday January 14th at 6pm.
