Connacht MFC Final/Galway 2-7 Roscommon 0-9:Galway dashed Roscommon's hopes of retaining the Connacht title at Dr Hyde Park yesterday. The visiting side snatched control in the final quarter following the sending off of Roscommon captain Paul Garvey for a second bookable offence.

It was a decisive factor as the dismissal came in tandem with Michael Martyn kicking an equalising point.

Substitute John O'Brien dictated the final quarter along with man of the match Paul Conroy. O'Brien exploited being the extra man, he made a match-winning catch in front of his goal and 30 seconds later he was laying off a pass for Michael Martyn to seal the victory.

Roscommon edged into a two-point lead in the first half but Galway's Martyn slotted a penalty in the 10th minute.

Although, Galway failed to score from play for 30 minutes, they were in the ascendancy at half-time leading by 1-3 to 0-4.

In the second half, Roscommon edged back into contention and hit the front through fine kicking by Darren McDermott and Donal Shine.

The game turned in the 43rd minute with Garvey's dismissal and Galway found enough rhythm to take them to their 25th provincial crown at this level.

GALWAY: O Higgins; K Kelly, C Forde, E Glynn; T Fahy, D Reilly, C Doherty; J Devane, P Conroy (0-1 free); M Martyn (2-1, 1-0 pen), T Walsh, E O'Mahony (0-3, 1 free); J Ryan, J Greaney (0-1), D Reddington (0-1). Subs: J O'Brien for J Devane (10 mins BS), A Griffin for T Walsh, J O'Brien for J Devane (half-time).

ROSCOMMON: D O'Malley; C Boylan, N Collins, P O'Grady; D Lennon, J McKeague, E Bannon; C O'Neill, K Higgins (0-1); P Garvey, D Shine (0-3, 3 frees), K Brady (0-1); A O'Hara (0-2), K Cummins, D McDermott (0-2, 1 free). Subs: N Carty for D Lennon (45 min), N Brogan for C Boylan (47 min), A Duffy for K Brady (54 mins), L O'Connor for K Cummins (60mins).

Referee: D Corcoran (Mayo).