Mayo champions fall to Roscommon power in Connacht final

CONNACHT INTERMEDIATE CLUB FINAL

Strokestown 4-11

Kilmeena 0-14

In Castlebar

KILMEENA'S stellar season ended in bitterly cold MacHale Park today when the Mayo champions gave way to a highly-impressive Strokestown 15. The Roscommon men were clear and deserving winners on a day when little or nothing went right for their opponents.

Kilmeena never threw in the towel, and always searched for a way back into contention, but conceding some soft scores in the first half and failing to find the target for 14 minutes directly after the interval put paid to their chances.

Strokestown led 2-9 to 0-8 at the half-way mark after goals from team captain Colin Compton and impressive wing-forward Shane McGinley as midfielder Colm Neary and wing-back David Neary drove them forward time and time again.

Kilmeena were playing into the strong wind but stayed in the race with points from Jack Carney, Darragh Slattery, John Ryan, John McGlynn and Liam Moore.

The Mayo men were dealt a huge blow just before the interval when Jack Carney picked up a leg injury and the inter-county midfielder didn't reappear for the second half.

Kilmeena dominated possession in the third quarter but failed to trouble the umpires until the 44^th minute when Stephen Staunton swung over a two-pointer. Colin Hastings added a point less than a minute later and a Kilmeena revival seemed possible, but Strokestown had other ideas.

Kevin Finn pointed a free and when Stephen Tighe found the net after 48 minutes they were 3-11 to 0-11 clear and headed for the winner's-circle.

To their credit, Kilmeena kept battling but their efforts were in vain and when Evan Moran scored Strokestown's fourth goal just minutes from the end the deal was sealed.

Kilmeena were beaten and curtain had fallen on a season which yielded 15 wins from 17 games and brought great joy and excitement to their passionate and appreciative supporters.