A goal by Tommy Joyce in the 52nd minute sealed Galway's victory over Roscommon at Ballinasloe yesterday.
Indeed, the move summed up the difference between the sides. Padraig Joyce set up the goal with a delightful sideline ball into the path of Niall Finnegan who linked up with Derek Savage before Tommy Joyce finished clinically to the net from 18 yards.
Roscommon had started brightly with early points from Francie Grehan and Eddie Lohan but once the Galway attack got moving there was no holding the home side.
Jarlath Fallon gave an inspirational display at midfield and into the bargain kicked four excellent points in the second half.
Galway led at half-time by 0-7 to 0-3 with Sean O Domhnaill, Padraig Joyce, Tommy H Joyce, Savage and Finnegan all hitting the target.
Roscommon missed two goal chances either side of half-time. Galway goalkeeper Lloyd Kelly had to be sharp to deny Eddie Lohan in the 29th minute and just after the interval Roscommon corner forward Lorcan Dowd was desperately unlucky to see his kick come back off the crossbar.
But apart from that it was all Galway with their fast-moving attack always posing a threat while Fallon provided the inspiration from the middle.
Galway: L Kelly; R Doyle, J Killeen, R Fahy; R Silke, J Divilly, S de Paor; S O'Domhnaill (0- 1), J Fallon (0-4); D Meehan, P Joyce (0-2), T Joyce (1-1); D Savage (0-2), N Finnegan (0- 4), S Walsh.
Roscommon: - R Lennon; R O'Callaghan, D Donlon, E Gavin; M Ryan, C McDonald, C Heneghan; G Keane, D Connellan; C Connelly, F O'Donnell, E Lohan; G Lohan, F Grehan, L Dowd. Subs: A Nolan for G Nolan, D Whyte for McDonald (both half-time), J Gillooly for Keane (43 mins).
Referee: G McGovern (Leitrim).
In a busy weekend, Roscommon fared better in the Connacht League game against Leitrim on Saturday when they won by 0-12 to 0-8. Leitrim led by 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time but Roscommon's extra sharpness and physical strength finally paid off as Lorcan Dowd, Eddie Lohan and substitute Derek Duggan scored the vital points.
Roscommon - 0-12 Leitrim - 0-8
Roscommon: R Lannon; D Whyte, D Donlon, E Gavin; R O'Callaghan, M Towey, C Heneghan; A Nolan (0-1), D Allen (0-1); C Connelly (0-1), F O'Donnell, E Lohan (0-2); G Lohan, F Grehan (0-2), L Dowd (0-4). Subs: D Duggan (0-1) for G Lohan (51 mins), C McDonald for M Towey, J Gillooly for D Allen (30 mins).
Leitrim: G Phelan; R Greenan, J Phelan, S Colreavy; F Davitt, C Regan, G Foley (0-1); C Carroll, B Guckian; A Fee, A Charles (0-3), D McNulty; F McBrien (0-2), C McGlynn (0-1), A Rooney (0-1). Subs: S Quinn for C McGlynn (30 mins), D Kelleher for S Colreavy (38 mins). D Brennan for D McNulty (47 mins).
Referee: E Waters (Sligo).
