Roscommon march on

Roscommon's trouncing by Galway in the Connaght senior final a couple of weeks ago had no notable adverse effect on the sides confidence as they moved into the All-Ireland Intermediate hurling final at the expense of a persistent but wayward Kildare at Croke Park yesterday.

Roscommon's keen edge had not been blunted following their latest humiliation but it would have been a lot more interesting for Kildare fans had the Leinster champions fully utilised their scoring chances. Kildare in fact, had the dubious distinction of hitting 18 wides against 9 for the winners.

But en route to creating a seven points gap, 2-6 to 0-5, early in the second half, Roscommon had the key match winning performers in Paul Connolly, Marty Healy, Colm Kelly, Adrian Kelly and Damien Lohan.

From the start of the last quarter, however, Kildare began to look capable of turning the match on its head. A little bit of astute reshuffling by the selectors led to a better display. Tony Spain moved out from full forward. Late call-up, Eamonn Denleffe, also moved out to lead the attack and Ambrose Finnerty was introduced at full-forward.

Improvement was instant. Denleffe drove a penalty to the net and followed with a point, Tony Spain added another and moments later Tom Carew pointed one of his six frees. The three minute scare for Roscommon could have been crowned with an equaliser but Carew erred for the first time with the dead ball.

Points by Boyle and Lohan, off the best move in the match involving Boyle and Enda Gormley, restored Roscommon's three point advantage but it was Kildare who looked the most dangerous in the final minutes when a rasping shot from Finnerty was saved by Tully.

Roscommon: A Tully; T Healy, P Connolly, M Mulry; J Mulvey, M Healy, P Finneran; M Cunniffe, C Kelly; L Murray, A Kelly (1-1), B Boyle (0-5 frees); D Lohan (1-1), E Gormley, S Sweeney (0-1). Sub: P Regan for Mulvey 46 mins.

Kildare: D Byrne; A Cross, C Byrne, J O'Donnell; A Dunny, C Murphy, T Spain; N Casey, M Hennessy; T Carew (0-6 frees), G Curran (0-1), A Flaherty; E Denleffe (1-1), T Spain (0-1), L Maloney. Sub: A Finnerty for Flaherty 41 mins.

Referee: P Dunphy (Kilkenny).