Galway will play Sligo in a fortnight’s time looking to retain their Connacht SFC crown after overcoming Roscommon’s stern challenge by 1-13 to 1-9 this afternoon.

Padraic Joyce’s men were made to fight tooth and nail for this win that sees the Rossies’ 33-year wait for a home win over Galway in the championship stretch on for another year least.

The Tribesmen were pushed all the way in the second-half though, after having led by 0-7 to 0-3 at the interval before the 16,970 strong crowd that turned out at Dr Hyde Park.

Cathal Sweeney, Damien Comer, who finished with 1-4, and John Maher had struck over the points that saw the visitors leading at the halfway stage and Ian Burke would extend the advantage to five in the early seconds of the resumption.

Ciarain Murtagh (1-6) and Conor Daly grabbed sorely needed points for Davy Burke’s men after that and they’d soon hit the front.

Cian McKeon’s point was backed up by a Murtagh goal that had the scoreboard reading 1-6 to 0-8 in the hosts’ favour on 40 minutes.

Matthew Tierney helped the holders get level and Maher would put them out in front again ahead of Comer tucking a rebounded effort into the Rossies’ net.

Shane Walsh’s 55th minute free put five between the sides and the closing quarter would see Burke’s men keep the heat on until the finish via the scores of McKeon and Murtagh before Comer’s point ensured another provincial final berth for Galway.

Watch the Full-Time Highlights of Roscommon v Galway in the Connacht Senior Football Championship here on #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/oLsmSKTtKp

— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 23, 2023

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