Roscommon Under-20 have booked an All-Ireland Under-20 football final place after a dramatic six point victory over Down.
The Rossie’s produced an amazing comeback having trailed by Down for the majority of the game as they managed 1-6 to no reply in the final quarter.
Manager Liam Tully made excellent tactical changes in the second-half, using his bench as the game turned in his sides favor.
Down led by two points to no score, however Roscommon’s scored with an excellent James Fitzpatrick goal after 11 minutes.
Points from Darragh Cregg (2), Fitzpatrick, Ben O’Carroll and Patrick Gavin saw the rossie's trail by two points at half-time.
Down leading 1-7 to 1-5 thanks to a Sheelan Johnstone goal three minutes into first-half injury time.
The Ulster champions bossed the opening stages of the second-half. Ruairi O’Hare, Danny McGill and Tom Smyth’s 50th minute point making it 1-10 to 1-8.
However Smyth’s point was Down's last of the game. Liam Tully's side took total control and led by one on 60 minutes. Cregg, Paddy Gavin and Aaron McDermott with points.
Sheelan Johstone saw red in the first minute of injury time and Roscommon capitalized. James Fitzpatrick and Charlie Carthy each scored points as Liam Tully used his bench brilliantly.
Tully's side sealed victory in the sixth minute of injury time as they capitalized on Down’s lack of discipline. The Down side simply couldn’t sustain the pressure as the game inched away from them.
The Rossie’s broke from midfield. Aaron McDermott rolled the ball into an empty net to secure a 2-13 to 1-10 win.
Roscommon now progress to meet Offaly in the All-Ireland U20 final in Croke Park on Sunday August 15th at 3pm.
It will be the Rossie's who will make their first appearance in an Under-20 final since 2014. Roscommon's last victory in the grade coming in 1978.
