The play started in a lively fashion by both teams but the first score took five minutes to arrive in the showery conditions. However, it was a fine Sean McCann point from far out on the right that opened the scoring. The Gaels continues to look the likely they would add to their tally but instead three minutes later Robert O’Hanlon collected a ball at his leisure 15 metres out and with a side step be moved in six paces and passed to ball to the corner of the net. Harry O’Connell put Roche three ahead a minute later with a fine point from distance. The play returned to its former inaccurate state for 9 more minutes before Eanna McArdle (Gaels) reduced the lead by one point. But Roche pushed further ahead with another O’Hanlon goal on the 22nd minute. This time he cracked a fine shot to the net following a good inter-change of passes with Bernard McConnon. Kevin Callaghan looked as if he would added another goal from a similar position on the left four minutes later but lifted it over the bar for a safe point, the score now 2-2 to 02 for Roche. McArdle again got the range right and reduced the lead by one point before the break. Half time Roche 2-3 Gael 0-3.

Errol Boyle for the Gaels opened the second half scoring with a point from a free. But the Gaels missed a very score-able free soon afterwards. Kevin Callaghan pointed for Roche after two good passed from Andrew Carroll and Barry McConnon. Andrew Coleman added tow Gaels points but the Gaels missed four others before Callaghan popped over another Roche point from a free. Eanne McArdle sent over the bar two more points for the Gaels as they moved to within two of the visitors. But they should have been level or even ahead, they missed two most certain chances. But Darren McConnon sent over the last score on the 31st minute to put three back in the difference. The Gaels had time to come again but could not get the scores that would get them something from a game that they had lots of the play but did failed to convert it into scores. Roche registered two major scores from unlikely situation and then added killer points after that every time the Gael threatened getting on top.

Best for Roche were: Harry O’Connell, Dermot Craven, Niall Treanor, Kevin Callaghan, Darren McConnon, and Martin Carroll.
Scorers: Robert O’Hanlon 2-0, Kevin Callaghan 0-3, Darren McConnon 0-1, Harry O’Connell 0-1.
Roche: Aidan McCoy, Andrew Carroll, Dermot Craven, Niall Treanor, Philip Quinn, Harry O’Connell, Duane Callan, Darren McConnon, Robert O’Hanlon, Martin Carroll, Liam Carthy, Barry McConnon, Kevin Callaghan, Bernard McConnon.

[Report: Eamonn Reilly]