Roscommon avoid repeat of New York scare with comfortable defeat of Leitrim

Leitrim 0-11

Roscommon 1-21

By JOHN FALLON at Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada

ROSCOMMON GOT THEIR Connacht championship drive firmly back on track after the New York scare to brush aside neighbours Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon.

It was a forgettable day for Leitrim who finished the game with just 12 men after two red cards and a black card when they had used all six substitutes.

Roscommon were never really tested and will now go forward to a Connacht semi-final meeting with Sligo on 12 June as Leitrim once more head for the qualifers.

A well-worked goal by Conor Devaney saw Roscommon go in leading by 1-11 to 0-5 at half-time having played with the wind.

An early Donal Wrynn point for Leitrim provoked a big response from Roscommon who hit five points in succession as Diarmuid Murtagh (2), Cathal Cregg, Niall Daly and Donie Shine found the range to lead by 0-5 to 0-1 after 14 minutes.

Roscommon were on top in midfield but Kevin Conlan and Emlyn Mulligan gave Leitrim encouragement with good points.

But when Conlan got his second point in response to an effort from Ciaran Murtagh, Roscommon struck a telling blow when a good movement involving Fintan Cregg and Ciaran Murtagh was finished to the net from close range by Devaney.

And the Rossies did not relent, shooting another five points in succession before Nevin O’Donnell lifted the siege with a point for Leitrim just before the break.

But by then Leitrim had replaced half their defence, losing corner-back Matthew Murphy to injury and captain Gary Reynolds to a black card in addition to replacing wing-back Ronan Gallagher.

Mulligan, back in championship football for Leitrim after taking a year out, pointed a free within a minute of the restart and Adrian Croal then pointed from the right to give the home support hope as they cut the gap to 1-11 to 0-7 after 38 minutes.

But Fintan Cregg steadied the Roscommon challenge when he became the last of their six starting forwards to score as he pointed a 41st-minute free and then Devaney took his haul to 1-2.

Any hopes of a Leitrim revival disappeared when sub Darren Sweeney received a straight red.

Then Adrian Croal got a needless black card with six subs used and they went down to 12 men when Killian McGriskin was sent off for a heavy challenge in the closing stages of a forgettable game for Leitrim.

Leitrim: E Mulligan 0-3, K Conlan 0-3, D Wrynn 0-1, N O’Donnell 0-1 (f), R Kennedy 0-1 (f), A Croal 0-1, K McHugh 0-1.

Roscommon: C Devaney 1-2, F Cregg 0-4 (1f), D Shine 0-3, C Murtagh 0-3 (1f), D Murtagh 0-2, N Daly 0-2, R Daly 0-2 (1f), C McHugh 0-1, C Cregg 0-1, C Shine 0-1.

LEITRIM

1. Brendan Flynn (Leitrim Gaels)

2. Matthew Murphy (Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins)
4. Paddy Maguire (Glencar/Manorhamilton)
3. Michael McWeeney (St Mary’s)

5. Sean McWeeney (Aughnasheelin)
6. Gary Reynolds (St Oliver Plunketts)
7. Ronan Gallagher (Mohill)

8. Donal Wrynn (Fenagh St Caillin’s)
9. Sean Moran (Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins)

10. James Rooney (Glencar/Manorhamilton)
11. Emlyn Mulligan (St Brigid’s)
12. Kevin Conlan (Dromahair)

13. Nevin O’Donnell (Shannon Gaels)
14. Ronan Kennedy (Mohill)
15. Adrian Croal (Glencar/Manorhamilton)

Subs:

24. Keelan McHugh (Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s) for  Murphy (15)
18. Killian McGriskin (Glencar/Manorhamilton) for Gallagher (32)
17. Barry Prior (Aughawillan) for Reynolds (BC 35)
20. Darren Sweeney (Glencar/Manorhamilton) for O’Donnell (36)
23. Conor Gaffney (Drumreilly) for S McWeeney (36)
19. Niall Woods (Gortletteragh) for Kennedy (63)

ROSCOMMON

1. Geoffrey Claffey (Castlerea St Kevin’s)

4. Niall McInerney (St Brigid’s)
3. Neil Collins (St Brigid’s)
2. Sean McDermott (Western Gaels)

5. John McManus (Roscommon Gaels)
6. Sean Purcell (Boyle)
7. David Murray (Padraig Pearses)

8. Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses)
9. James McDermott (Roscommon Gaels)

10. Fintan Cregg (Elphin)
11. Ciaran Murtagh (St Faithleach’s)
12. Conor Devaney (Kilbride)

13. Diarmuid Murtagh (St Faithleach’s)
14. Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)
15. Donie Shine (Clann na nGael).

Subs:

25. Senan Kilbride (St Brigid’s) for D Murtagh (50)
23. Ronan Daly (Padraig Pearses) for McDermott (54)
18. Cathal McHugh (St Brigid’s) for Shine (62)
24. Sean Mullooly (Strokestown) for McManus (63)
19. Cathal Shine (Clann na nGael) for C Cregg (67)
20. David Keenan (St Barry’s) for Purell (67)

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry).

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