1-6 from Captain Ciaráin Murtagh helped Roscommon “down” a very defensive minded Down side and secured a third Allianz Football League win in a row over at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Down started brightly taking an early 2 points to nil lead but Roscommon responded with seven points without reply. Ciaráin Murtagh kicked the first Four; two from Frees and two from play, Fintan Cregg followed with two from play and Conor Daly kicked the seventh. Down score two further points in the 34th and 35th minutes to leave it 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.
Roscommon got the opening two points of the second half, courtesy of Fintan Cregg and a Ciaráin Murtagh free and Down replied with a point in the 12th minute. Points from Ciaráin Murtagh, Conor Daly, Cathal Cregg and a Penalty from Ciaráin Murtagh in the 68th minute gave the “home” side a deserved win.
Final score: Roscommon 1-12 Down 0-6
Next up is a trip to Donegal this day week. The venue is subject to change, based on the anticipated crowd.
Roscommon Scorers: C Murtagh 1-6 (1 Pen, 3 Frees), F Cregg 0-3, C Daly 0-2, C Cregg 0-1
Starting Team:
1 Geoffrey Claffey, Castlerea St. Kevins;
2 Sean McDermott, Western Gaels
3 Neil Collins, St. Brigids, 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. Brigids
10 Fintan Cregg, Elphin
11 Ciaran Murtagh (Capt), St. Faithleachs
12 Conor Devaney, Kilbride;
13 Cian Connolly, Roscommon Gaels
14 Senan Kilbride, St. Brigids
15 Cathal Cregg, Western Gaels
Subs used
Ronan Stack (St Brigids) for Smith (at HT)
Niall Kilroy (Fuerty) for Senan Kilbride (54, BC)
Ronan Daly (Padraig Pearses) for Cathal Cregg (59)
Cathal McHugh (St Brigids) for Connolly (65)
Cathal Shine (Clann na Gael) for Ian Kilbride (68)
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE