The Connacht final looked on paper to be a very tight affair, but it turned out to be nothing like it.
Galway came into the game as favourites having dumped Mayo out in the semi-final but were shell-shocked in a wet and windy Salthill. At half time, they had only put up three points from 12 attempts, while Roscommon had put 1-7 past the Tribesmen. However, the Rossies also kicked nine wides in that time.
Brian Stack found the net after five minutes in the second half to extend their lead to nine. and they never looked back. Galway did indeed threaten a comeback through Shane Walsh, but fell away, with the game ending after a major scuffle.
WATCH:
Goal @RoscommonGAA! Brian Stack races through the heart of the Galway defence fires home. Roscommon lead 2-09 to 0-11. #GAAClips pic.twitter.com/VthL3wgn0w— eirSport (@eirSport) July 9, 2017
18,287 packed into the stadium in Salthill, but those who didn't had the pleasure of watching it on the television. Social media was stunned by just how bad Galway were. Still, Roscommon were value for their nine point victory.
Big shout out to my old boss Kevin McStay today. Such a well judged performance. #GAA
— chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) July 9, 2017
Be still our fractured hearts, here we come. Watch your backs and gird your loins, for the primrose is wafting over the Shannon! #rosgaa
— chris o'dowd (@BigBoyler) July 9, 2017
Only a few months since many in Roscommon were nailing Kevin McStay to the cross. Fair play to him.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) July 9, 2017
Galway playing in a structure built to fight fear and paying for it. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) July 9, 2017
Delighted for Kevin McStay today, especially after the poor treatment of him in his own county and in Roscommon in last three years #mayogaa
— Edwin McGreal (@edmcgreal) July 9, 2017
Some result for Roscommon and for manager Kevin McStay after all the acrimony of the last 12 months. The perfect ambush.
— Colm Keys (@KeysColm) July 9, 2017
Roscommon 2-15, Galway 0-12. There are no words after a performance like that. The greatest I've seen. Magnificent Connacht champs #weareros
— Ian Cooney (@cooney_ian) July 9, 2017
Galway a shambles at the moment Roscommon attitude magnificent
— Bernard Flynn (@bernardflynn15) July 9, 2017
Fair play, McStay!! #Roscommon 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/fdDJrjcYeD
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) July 9, 2017
There won't any water boiled for a week in Roscommon #ConnachtFinal #GALvROS
— Ian Clarke (@clarke_ian) July 9, 2017
Perhaps Galway just put too much into beating Mayo in the semi-final and couldn't get to that level again. Stack and Cian Connolly were impressive for Roscommon - who were missing arguably their best player in Cathal Cregg.
Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile
