Allianz Football League Division One South

GALWAY 2-16 ROSCOMMON 1-13

By Cian O'Connell at Pearse Stadium

This was precisely the type of response Galway manager Padraic Joyce craved.

A heavy defeat in Tralee hurt Galway deeply, but the maroon and white outfit summonde a vastly improved display on home turf. It was sufficient to earn the Allianz League spoils.

There was plenty to admire in Galway's performance with Finnian Ó Laoi's energy, Shane Walsh's skill, Damien Comer's leadership, and Rob Finnerty's accuracy cruical.

Indeed Ó Laoi was an instrumental figure in the opening half when Galway set the tone early by blasting a second minute goal.

Paul Kelly supplied the finish following a smart move involving Dylan McHugh and Comer. That injected Galway's cause with some belief, but Roscommon did pose questions.

Ciaran Murtagh and Donie Smith demonstrated their ability in attack for Roscommon, but Galway did depart at the break armed with a 1-7 to 0-8 advantage.

Finnerty was causing Roscommon significant bother as a lively match continued at a decent clip.

After the restart Galway struck five of the first seven points with Walsh influential during that burst. It meant Galway edged 1-12 to 0-10 clear.

Donie Smith replied with two points for Roscommon before Comer and Walsh rifled over excellent scores for Galway.

The visitors' needed a goal and Ciaran Murtagh's palmed effort brought them back into serious contention in the 62nd minute.

Suddenly Galway's lead was cut to two, but substitute Tomo Culhane pounced instantly to register an opportunistic goal.

Another replacement Johnny Heaney and Culhane added further points for Galway, who closed out the deal with the minimum of fuss. Dublin at Tuam Stadium is next on the agenda for Galway, while Roscommon host Kerry at Dr Hyde Park.

Scorers for Galway: Shane Walsh 0-7 (5fs), Rob Finnerty 0-5 (1m), Tomo Culhane 1-1, Paul Kelly 1-0, Damien Comer 0-2, Johnny Heaney 0-1.

Scorers for Roscommon: Ciarán Murtagh 1-5 (4fs), Donie Smith 0-7 (5fs), Enda Smith 0-1.

GALWAY: Bernard Power; Seán Kelly, Seán Ó Maolchiaráin, Jack Glynn; Kieran Molloy, Dylan McHugh, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, Matthew Tierney; Paul Kelly, Damien Comer, Finnian Ó Laoi; Rob Finnerty, Eamonn Brannigan, Shane Walsh.

Subs: Peter Cooke for P Kelly (41), Johnny Heaney for Brannigan (49), Tomo Culhane for Tierney (62), Dessie Conneely for Finnerty (62), Ronan Steede for Comer (69), Gary O'Donnell for Molloy (70), Johnny Duane for McHugh (70).

ROSCOMMON: Colm Lavin; David Murray, Seán Mullooly, Gary Patterson; Richard Hughes, Niall Daly; Eddie Nolan, Tadhg O'Rourke; Conor Devaney, Cathal Cregg, Enda Smith; Donie Smith, Cian McKeon, Ciarán Murtagh.

Subs: David Neary for Patterson (29), Diarmuid Murtagh for Devaney (HT), Conor Hussey for Hughes (HT), Shane Killoran for McKeon (47), Conor Cox for Cregg (50), Niall Kilroy for Nolan (50), Hubert Darcy for C Murtagh (67).

REFEREE: David Coldrick (Meath).