Unfortunately the dream is over for our u17 team who went down to Roscommon on Stephens night in Bekan, on a night that will be remembered for the weather conditions (Storm Bella) plus the fact we did not trouble the scoreboard for 55 minutes of the game. Not scoring in the first half was not an issue considering we were facing into the second half with all the elements but only 4 points down. A missed mark quickly followed by two missed frees early in the second half were more detrimental and the 6 day turnaround for our lads definitely had an influence.

Sligo made a few changes from the semi final with Zaak Mahon out injured from the game on Sunday and Ross Chambers coming in for the listed James Burns before the throw in. Sligo played excellently into the wind where the ball handling was superb and running off the shoulder for each other was top class. The defending was of the highest order and by the time of the water break Roscommon had one score in the 4th minute from Oisín Cregg to show for their efforts. Eoin Colleran scored a close in free after the break where it was like a hurling scrum for a long time. Conor Hand scored a lovely point in the 20th minute. Roscommon were beginning to panic and hit a few bad wides before the break in the third minute of additional time Hand put over another long range point when one minute additional was signalled. Half time score was 0-4 v 0-0

Both teams lost players early in the second to shoulder injuries with Marc Heraghty going off for Sligo. A fumbled ball on the standside of the pitch about 45m out from the Sligo goal saw both sides gain possession and lose it before Conor Hand broke away and with Shane Walsh in front of him passed over the Sligo defender and Walsh rounded Lundy in the goal and got off his shot before he carried it over the line. It deflated Sligo for a few minutes but they rose to the challenge again. Getting the ball from their own half back line up to Marren and Gallagher in the full forward line was proving tough with 4 to 5 Roscommon defenders defending the lead. 

Conor Hand score a huge score against the breeze to extend the lead to 8 with 5 plus addidtional to play. Finally Canice Mulligan struck high and through over the bar from just outside the 45m line in the 25th minute. This was quickly followed with a good score out on the wing from Simon McKeon. A minute later a long range free flew into the top corner of the Roscommon net from outside the 45m line. It may have got a touch but it was going at a rate of notes when it hit the net. Everyone was looking at the sideling official for the additional time. When it eventually went up there was 3 minutes signalled. However despite the best efforts of the team an equalising goal could not be found and the wait from 1968 continues for Sligo and a minor title. 

Thanks have to be given to all involved with the team and management at getting the team to the final and raising the hopes of supporters whilst playing football to a very high standard. 

Scorers

Sligo - Dylan Walsh 1-0, Canice Mulligan, Simon McKeon 0-1 each

Roscommon - Conor Hand 0-3, Shane Walsh 1-0, Eoin Colleran 0-1 (1f)

Sligo - Jack Lundy, Luke Casserly, Dara Foy, Marc Heraghty, Ross Chambers, Canice Mulligan, James Kiernan, Ronan Kelly, Brian  Byrne, Ciarán Ó'Reilly, Luke Marren, Dáire O'Boyle, Dylan Walsh, Cian Oates, Adam Gallagher

Subs - Simon McKeon for Heraghty, Brian Duffy for Oates, Conor Mitchell for Byrne, Thomas Langan for Kelly

Other Panel members  - Adam Kearns, Ciarán Smith, Conor White, Cormac Niland, Daniel O'Connor, Dylan McLoughlin, Fionn O'Hehir, Jack Duffy, James Burns, Josh Fallon, Kian Golden, Liam Carty, Mark Mulhern, Michael Langan, Ronan Keenan, Seán Clifford, Zaak Mahon