Superb attacking play in the second half by a transformed Roscommon Gaels side was enough to beat underdogs Kilmore in the Roscommon football final at Dr Hyde Park yesterday.

Such an outcome did not seem likely at half-time as Kilmore led by 0-8 to 0-4. However, in the second half the losers had to wait 22 minutes before their top county player Don Connellan recorded their only score of the entire half. By that stage a dominant Roscommon Gaels side had registered eight unanswered points and it was clear to the 4,000 crowd that they were well on their way to their first senior title since 1994.

Connellan gave Kilmore the ideal start when he converted two early frees but Roscommon Gaels went in front for the first time after 18 minutes when Alan Nolan and Fergal O'Donnell each scored twice.

Roscommon Gaels full forward Alan Nolan recovered after a nervous start to give an outstanding display of accuracy both from frees and from play. He scored 0-11 of his side's total, seven from frees, and registered all but two of the winners' second-half tally.

Roscommon Gaels: C Grogan; B McNeela, M Ryan, P Hoey; C Heneghan, K Keegan, M Costello; L McNeill, S O'Donnell; C McDonald (0-1), F O'Donnell (0-2), P Oates; J Comiskey, A Nolan (0-11, seven from frees), B Penny (0-1). Sub: M McHale for Penny.

Kilmore: A Egan; D Carroll, B Bourke, P Carney; S Murray, P Carroll, F Carroll; G Flood, D Connellan (0-6, five from frees); E Flood, B Carroll (0-2), P Caslin; J Kilchrist, D Dorr, K Stritch (0-1). Subs: A Dockery for Pat Caslin, B Lavin for Stritch, Peter Caslin for Bourke.

Referee: J Cox (St Barry's).