Connacht SFC Semi-final/ Sligo 0-13 Roscommon 2-5:Nearly all of Sligo's glory days in recent times have come in the qualifiers but they made their mark in their own provincial championship yesterday with a magnificent second-half display which stunned Roscommon.

And as they savour a victory that was built around sheer character, they will take particular satisfaction in the fact that the win was achieved in Hyde Park, a venue where they have enjoyed little fortune or success in modern times.

But while Sligo's victory is notable, the collapse of a Roscommon side which promised so much is bound to spark lengthy inquests and probably another dose of blood-letting.

Roscommon supporters made little effort to conceal their anger after full-time after watching their side throw away a winning position of a six-point lead early in the second half. But it was Sligo who seized the initiative, outscoring Roscommon by 0-9 to 0-1 in the final half hour of the game.

Roscommon manager John Maughan could not fathom how his side had let such a strong position slip from their grasp. "We are shattered. It is a difficult one to accept, difficult to rationalise. It was a horrible performance and there are no explanations."

Roscommon had started poorly and were three points adrift by the time Ger Heneghan opened their account after 13 minutes. Eamon O'Hara's early midfield dominance was cut by the displays of Seamus O'Neill and the towering Michael Finneran and after drawing level by the 26th minute, Roscommon got a major breakthrough with their opening goal. Ger Heneghan and Gary Cox combined to set up Karol Mannion and the Roscommon captain blasted low to the net.

Seán Davey got Sligo's first score in almost half an hour at the end of the opening half to leave it 1-3 to 0-4 at the break.

The spirited Sligo challenge looked to be buried when Cathal Cregg burst through for a fine goal, with Heneghan making it 2-4 to 0-4 a minute later.

But Sligo, far from folding, responded to the challenge with commendable gusto. Wing-back Paul McGovern was superb, O'Hara came back into it at midfield and the half-forward line of Brian Curran, Mark Breheny and Sean Davey took over. They kicked nine points between them, six of them in the second-half with Curran landing three magnificent efforts to inspire his men. They were content to pick off points despite being so far adrift , shooting three in rapid succession to reduce the deficit to 2-4 to 0-7 after 43 minutes.

Cox pointed for Roscommon but, remarkably, that score after 46 minutes was to be their last of the day as they caved in and Sligo took total control. Three more points in quick succession left just the minimum between them after 51 minutes and when sub Kenneth Sweeney levelled with twelve minutes left, there really was only going to be one winner.

Breheny edged Sligo in front eight minutes from the end with an effort from 50 yards. And they finished the game on the offensive with Curran landing an insurance point in stoppage time.

SLIGO: P Greene; C Harrison, N McGuire, R Donovan; P McGovern, M McNamara, J Davey (0-1, 45); E O'Hara, K Quinn (0-1); B Curran (0-3), M Breheny (0-4, 3 frees), S Davey (0-2); D Kelly, P Gallagher, A Marren. Subs: J McPartland (0-1)for Marren (29 mins); K Sweeney (0-1)for Gallagher (44 mins); G McGowan for Kelly (70 mins).

ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; S McDermott, A McDermott, P O'Connor; S Daly, D Casey, R Dooner; S O'Neill, M Finneran; J Tiernan, G Cox (0-1), C Cregg (1-0); D Connellan, K Mannion (1-1), G Heneghan (0-3, all frees). Subs: A Murtagh for Daly (32 mins); E Kenny for Tiernan (52 mins); D O'Gara for Cregg (64 mins); D Keenan for Dooner (67 mins).

YELLOW CARDS: SligoPaul McGovern 25 mins.

Referee: J White(Donegal).