The Roscommon Hurlers made the long trip to Ballycran Co Down for the second time this year to play the 1st round of the Christy Ring Cup and unfortunately left empty handed.
By Robert McConn
Roscommon started well in a good game of hurling with Shane Curley scoring five points in the first twelve minutes – four frees and a magnificent point from a line ball. The sides were trading points until Down’s Malachy Magee found the Roscommon net on 15 minutes. The Rossies rallied and five minutes later Naos Connaughton rattled the Down net. Roscommon went on to dominate the rest of the first half keeping Down to just two points. Roscommon went in as leaders at half time 1-13 to 1-10.
Roscommon started the second half as they finished the first and went five points ahead after fifteen minutes. It looked like Roscommon’s day when Down missed a penalty. Down then brought on their talisman Gareth Johnson who changed the game as he did on their previous meeting in the League earlier this year. He went on to score seven unanswered points, most of them from frees. Down’s Eoghan Sands sealed Roscommon’s fate when he got an opportunists goal on 30 minutes. Roscommon tried to the end but several missed goal opportunities, soft frees and wides cost the Rossies the match. It ended Roscommon 1-20 Down 2-24.
This was a match that the Roscommon Hurlers dominated for long periods but could not get the scores on the scoreboard. On a brighter note this was the best that Roscommon has played all year and they know they left this one behind them. Best for Roscommon were Padraig Kelly, Pat Nolan, Shane Curley and Gearoid Keenan.
Team: Noel Fallon, Pat Nolan, Peter Kellehan, Alan Moore, Michael Beirne, Padraig Kelly (0-01),Tomas Seale, Shane Curley (0-6, four frees), Cathal Dolan, Gary Fallon, Gearoid Keenan, Naos Connaughton (1-2), Eamon Flanagan (0-2), John Coyne (0-2), Robbie Fallon (0-6, 5 frees),
Subs used: Hugh Rooney for Eamon Flanagan, Gearoid Egan for Michael Beirne, Conor Coyle for Cathal Dolan.
Next up for the Roscommon Hurlers is the visit of London to Dr Hyde Park on Saturday at 6pm.