‘Cometh the hour cometh the man’: Murtagh leads Roscommon to Connacht glory
Diarmuid Murtagh, in lifting the J.J. Nestor Cup is following in the illustrious St Faithleach’s footsteps of his brother Ciaráin in 2017, Danny Murray in 1980 and Paddy Lindsey in 1979 as Roscommon Connacht Senior Championship winning captains
The old adage of ‘cometh the hour cometh the man’ was never truer than in Roscommon’s Hyde Park on Sunday last in the Connacht Championship Final.
With just 9 minutes to go Galway already leading by three points, scored a great goal that most likely tore the heart out of the most ardent Roscommon supporter but the steely determination of the Roscommon team did not ponder on what might be but they went on to create their own piece of history by staging a magnificent comeback to win.
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Following his brilliant performance in the semi-final victory over Mayo, Galway had identified Diarmuid Murtagh for close marking but at a time of crisis one always looks for a leader and the Roscommon captain showed his true metal by bringing Roscommon to the point of victory scoring a two pointer followed by a single pointed free as Roscommon emerged victorious on a scoreline of 3-21 to Galway’s 2-22.
The victorious Roscommon panel also featured a strong Longford link as Clonguish's Jack Duggan was listed at number 21 among the subs. Jack, pictured left in main photo of celebrations in dressing room, is the son of former Roscommon attacking ace, Derek.
Caption: 10 May 2026; Roscommon captain Diarmuid Murtagh lifts the Nestor Cup after victory in the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship final over Galway at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Diarmuid, in lifting the J.J. Nestor Cup is following in the illustrious St Faithleach’s footsteps of his brother Ciaráin in 2017, Danny Murray in 1980 and Paddy Lindsey in 1979 as Roscommon, Connacht Senior Championship winning captains.
Caption: 9 July 2017; Roscommon captain Ciarain Murtagh lifts the cup following their victory in the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Final over Galway at Pearse Stadium Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
It was a memorable day and victory for Roscommon and Diarmuid capped it all with an absolutely wonderful acceptance speech.
Roscommon now move on to playing Tyrone in King & Moffatt Hyde Park on Sunday, May 24 at 2pm.
Congratulations Diarmuid, your teammates, team management your family and club on a fabulous occasion. Hopefully it won’t be the only cup you raise this year – a bigger one awaits.