A late Senan Kilbride point ensured that Roscommon did enough to survive a late onslaught from New York and book a place in the Connacht Championship Quarter-Final against Leitrim in three weeks time.
Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
In what was a very keenly contested opening quarter it was the home side who took control and led by 4 points to 2 after 15 minutes – the Roscommon points coming from Ciarain Murtagh and Cian Connolly. Shortly after the impetus switched to Roscommon. Ciarain Murtagh converted a penalty in the 21st minute and the visitors then went on to score five of the next seven points to lead New York at half time by 1-7 to 0-6. The points coming from Fintan Cregg, Ciarain Murtagh and two from Diarmuid Murtagh.
New York got the opening score of the second half from a Paddy McNiece free but Roscommon extended their lead through Fintan Cregg and Ciarain Murtagh. The home side replied again before two Fintan Cregg points made it Roscommon 1-11 New York 0-8 after 49 minutes. New York added two further points which were cancelled out by points from Conor Devaney and Cathal Cregg. With 10 minutes remaining New York began to apply more pressure and Geoffrey Claffey pull off a fine save to deny a goal chance. New York then added four points to set up a tense few moments. In the second minute of injury time Senan Kilbride put some breathing space between the teams and made it 1-15 to 0-16. Two minutes later New York added another point however their brave fight back ran out of time and Roscommon live to fight another day.
Final score Roscommon 1-15 New York 0-17.
Man of the Match
New York Keeper Vinnie Cadden, from Sligo was outstanding throughout, making a number of point blank saves to deny Roscommon shots on goal. Former Monaghan star Darren Freeman was a constant thorn in the side of the Roscommon defence and the Connacht GAA Man of the Match Award went to Strokestown’s Sean Mullooly
Roscommon Team and scorers
1 Geoffrey Claffey
2 Sean McDermott
3 Neil Collins
4 Sean Mullooly
5 John McManus
6 David Keenan
7 Niall McInerney
8 Niall Daly
9 Cathal Compton
10 Fintan Cregg, 0-4f
11 Ciaran Murtagh (C), 1(p)-1f,2
12 Conor Devaney, 0-3
13 Cian Connolly, 0-1
14 Diarmuid Murtagh, 0-2
15 Cathal Cregg, 0-1
Subs used:
James McDermott for Compton (23), Donie Shine for Connolly (41), Senan Kilbride (0-1) for D Murtagh (57), Niall Kilroy for F Cregg (60), David Murray for McInerney (63)