Roscommon 1-12
Down 0-6
Declan Rooney reports from Pearse Park
ROSCOMMON GOT THEIR third win on the trot in the Allianz Football League as they defeated Down 1-12 to 0-6 in Pearse Park in Longford.
Ciaran Murtagh was the star as he helped himself to 1-6 of Roscommon’s tally as they built on their previous two wins against Kerry and Cork.
The game was switched to the Longford venue from Dr Hyde Park but Roscommon still claimed the spoils.
Down started well with Darragh O’Hanlon and Connaire Harrison (free) putting them two points to the good. But this lead was short lived as Roscommon took control inspired by Murtagh.
The captain scored four unanswered points before Fintan Cregg added two more scores to lead 0-6 to 0-2 with 22 minutes played.
Down had goalkeeper Michael Cunningham to thank in the 23rd minute as he made a good save to deny Conor Devaney from grabbing Roscommon’s sixth goal of their league campaign.
Wing-back Conor Daly got Roscommon’s seventh score in the 28th minute before Harrison and Mark Poland kept Down in contention with two late first half points to make it 0-7 to 0-4 at the interval.
Cregg and Murtagh continued their scoring exploits in the second half with Cregg slotting one from play and Murtagh scoring his third free of the contest to put Roscommon 0-9 to 0-4 to the good after five second half minutes.
Barry O’Hagan got Down off the mark for the second half in the 47th minute before Murtagh made it 0-10 to 0-5 with less than twenty minutes remaining.
Senan Kilbride was shown a black card in the 52nd minute but it didn’t stop Roscommon as Cathal Cregg helped himself to a point before Daly got his second of the game to give Roscommon a seven point lead.
Murtagh slotted a late penalty to seal the win as Down goalkeeper Cunnigham was shown a black card and substitute goalkeeper Stephen Kane couldn’t prevent Murtagh from scoring to take his tally to 1-6.
Scorers for Roscommon: Ciaran Murtagh 1-6 (1-0 pen, 0-4f), Fintan Cregg 0-3 (1f), Conor Daly 0-2, Cathal Cregg 0-1.
Scorers for Down: Connaire Harrison 0-2 (0-1f), Darragh O’Hanlon, Mark Poland, Paul Devlin, Barry O’Hagan 0-1 each
Roscommon
1. Geoffrey Claffey (Castlerea St Kevin’s)
2. Sean McDermott (Western Gaels)
3. Neil Collins (St Brigid’s Castleknock)
4. Niall McInerney (St Brigids)
5. Conor Daly (Padraig Pearses)
6. Sean Purcell (Boyle)
7. David Murray (Padraig Pearses)
8. Enda Smith (Boyle)
9. Ian Kilbride (St. Brigid’s)
10. Fintan Cregg (Elphin)
11. Ciaran Murtagh (St Faithleachs)
12. Conor Devaney (Kilbride)
13. Cian Connolly (Roscommon Gaels)
14. Senan Kilbride (St. Brigid’s)
15. Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)
Subs:
26. Ronan Stack (St Brigid’s) for Smith (h-t)
20. Niall Kilroy (Fuerty) for Senan Kilbride (54, black card)
18. Ronan Daly (Padraig Pearses) for C Cregg (59)
22. Cathal McHugh (St Brigids) for Connolly (65)
25. Cathal Shine (Clann na Gael) for Ian Kilbride (68)
Down
1. Michael Cunningham (Castlewellan)
2. Ryan Boyle (Warrenpoint)
3. Gerard McGovern (Burren)
22. Gerard Collins (Downpatrick)
5. Jonny Flynn (Loughinisland)
6. Aidan Carr (Clonduff)
7. Darragh O’Hanlon (Kilcoo)
8. Peter Turley (Downpatrick)
9. Mark McKay (Burren)
10. Conor Maginn (Bryansford)
11. Mark Poland (Longstone)
19. Ryan Mallon (Warrenpoint)
13. Conaill McGovern (Burren)
14. Connaire Harrison (Glassdrumman)
15. Barry O’Hagan (Clonduff)
Subs:
18. Donal O’Hare (Burren) for Harrison (52)
25. Niall Madine (Saval) for O’Hagan (57)
26. Paul Devlin (Kilcoo) for Poland (57)
4. David McKibbon (Bryansford) for Flynn (66)
20. Cathal Doyle (Carrig/Riverstown) for Maginn (68)
16. Stephen Kane (Kilcoo) for Cunningham (69, black card)
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)
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Pretty sound policy to be honest. 50m for a player, 50m to grassroots football.
Just the type of move needed if china is to become a real football superpower
They probably fast-tracked this rule when they heard Costa could be coming!
@Conor Mc Lysaght: yeah that’s right why would you want diego costa one of the best forwards in the world playing in your league it’s not like it would raise the profile or anything..dh
@Philip Mcdermott: I was referring to his dirty tactics, fighting with everyone