Conor Morris hit 2-05 as Four Roads' late scoring flurry procured a 37th Roscommon senior hurling title at Dr Hyde Park.
St. Dominic’s, searching for their first crown in 25 years, led by ten points at one stage, but the defending champions came good in the final quarter to complete another three-in-a-row.
That tsunami of scores in the final quarter saw Four Roads outscore their opponents by 2-06 to 0-02, with substitute Adam Donnelly’s goal in the second minute of injury time completing a famous comeback.
With a strong wind at their backs, St. Dominic’s made an excellent start and corner forward Mickey Joe Egan drilled a low shot to the corner of the net inside three minutes to settle any early nerves.
Four Roads didn’t score until the 22nd minute as Dominic’s, especially their half-back line of Nathan O’Connor, Micheál Byrne and Jason Martin, physically dominated the opposition’s attacks.
When Morris opened his side’s account, Dominic’s had nudged their advantage out of 1-06, and when Egan grabbed his second goal after 23 minutes, Martin 'Thady’ Beirne’s side were in a great position.
But Conor Morris’ goal just before the break took Four Roads off life support, although they still trailed by seven points at the break.
The third quarter was scrappy with mistakes plentiful on both sides. Four Roads goalkeeper Noel Fallon goaled straight from a puckout, highlighting the strength of the breeze, but it was ruled out by referee Aaron Clogher after he consulted with his umpires.
Dominic’s lost their talisman, Naos Connaughton, to injury and eventually the dam burst in the final 15 minutes as Four Roads finally translated their possession into scores.
Morris pounced for his second goal with six minutes remaining, and the Four Roads scores kept coming as Donnelly and Morris (’65) brought the sides level.
Fallon and Egan swapped frees to hint that extra time may be needed. But Adam Donnelly latched onto Rory Coyle’s sideline puck to find the net, via a deflection, to complete his side’s remarkable turnaround and confirm Four Roads as champions once more.
Four Roads: Noel Fallon (0-02, 0-01f); Jimmy Hoey, Darren Fallon (0-01), Conor Coyle; Rory Coyle (0-02), Jack Donnelly, Tommy Morris; Liam Óg Coyle, Mikey Lohan; Cathal Dolan (0-01), Conor Mulry, Brian Lawlor; Conor Morris (2-05, 0-03f, 0-01 ’65), Brendan Mulry, Brian Mannion.
Subs: Eamon Mulry for Hoey (22), Trevor Fallon for Mannion (25), Adam Donnelly (1-01) for Lohan (41), Jamie Kelly for Conor Coyle (58), Brian Mannion for Óg Coyle (58), Tommy Doyle for Byrne (60).
St. Dominic’s: Mark Miley (0-01, 0-01f); Mark O’Malley, Mike Feeley, Ethan Connaughton; Nathan O’Connor, Micheál Byrne, Jason Martin; Aiden Hoare, Seán Kilcline; Colm Lyons, Jack Lohan (0-03), Connell Kennelly; Mickey Joe Egan (2-02, 0-01f), Naos Connaughton (0-03, 0-02f), Gavin Staunton (0-02).
Subs: Ruairí Kilcline for Lyons (40), John Murray for Connaughton (52), Rory Dempsey for O’Connor (57), Barry Killion for Hoare (57).
Referee: Aaron Clogher (Pádraig Pearses).
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