Galway 2-8

Roscommon 0-13

Damien Comer's early brace of goals were crucial as Galway held off Roscommon's second half comeback to pick up some early season silverware at Tuam Stadium.

The Tribesmen led by 2-5 to 0-6 at the break, but came under strong pressure after the restart as the much-improved holders battled back to within a point. It was Galway's first success in this competition since 2009 and their seventh in all.

Both of Comer's goals came via the fist. The first arrived after only 15 seconds and gave Galway a huge lift playing against the wind. Johnny Heaney and Senan Kilbride exchanged points before Comer got his fist to another high ball from Eamon Brannigan and finished to the net for a second time in the sixth minute.

The shell-shocked visitors got themselves back into it with three unanswered points from Kilbride, Ciaran Murtagh and Scott Oates, but two from Adrian Varley and another from Comer left Kevin Walsh's men in a strong position at the break.

Galway failed to score in the opening 15 minutes of the second half as Roscommon cut the gap through points from Cian Connolly (two) and Murtagh. Connolly eventually brought them level from a free with six minutes to go, but the hosts replied with scores from Heaney and sub Shane Walsh before Niall Daly's late effort left the minimum between the teams.

Galway: T Dolan; D Wynne, D Kyne, E Kerin; L Silke, G O'Donnell, J Heaney (0-02); P Conroy, F O Curraoin; T Flynn (0-01), E Hoare, E Tierney; D Comer (2-01), A Varley (0-03), E Brannigan. Subs: S Walsh (0-01, 0-01f) for Hoare (48), P Mannion for Brannigan (59).

Roscommon: G Claffey; R Stack, T Featherston, N Collins; B Murtagh, N Daly, R Daly (0-01); E Smith, C Shine; S Oates (0-01), K Kilcline (0-01), C Murtagh (0-04, 0-04f); C Connolly (0-04, 0-03f), S Kilbride (0-02), C McHugh. Subs: S McDermott for Collins (h-t), N Kilroy for Kilcline (39), U Harney for Oates (43), F Kelly for Shine (46), Fintan Cregg for Murtagh (54).

Referee: Declan Corcoran (Mayo).

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