The Roscommon Under 21 hurlers recorded a 4-11 to 1-9 victory over Armagh in the All-Ireland B Quarter-Final in Athleague this afternoon.
The match, which was due to throw in at 2pm, fell behind scheduled as Armagh didn’t arrive at the venue until 2.09pm.
When it finally started at 2.35pm Armagh were gifted a goal in the first minute. A sideline cut from full-forward Dylan McKenna went straight to the back of the net. The conditions were wet and windy with the wind favouring Armagh in the first half. After nine minutes they led by 1-3 to 0-2; Geaorid Keenan and Connor Mulry scored points for the home side.
On ten minutes Connor Coyle caught a side line ball, took on his man and headed for goal pulling the full back out of position. A quick pass found the unmarked Jason Martin who hit an unstoppable stop into the Armagh net. Five minutes later Gearóid Keenan’s shot on goal was saved and Connor Mulry was on hand to smash the rebound into the Armagh net.
Armagh responded by scoring four points without reply in a ten minute spell. Roscommon took the lead again when Jason Martin raised the green flag, finishing off a move involving Oisin Hession and Geaorid Keenan. Dylan Keavney rounded off Roscommon’s first half scoring with a fine point to leave it 3-3 to 1-7 at the interval.
The second half was a lively affair played in deteriorating conditions. Armagh refused to submit and brought the best out of Roscommon lads who finally killed off the Orchard County’s challenge on 55 minutes when a long ball from Jason Martin found the net following a mix up between the Armagh goalie and his backs. Roscommon finished comfortable winners on a scoreline of 4-11 to 1-9.
Best for Roscommon were Jason Martin (3-0), Conor Mulry (1-03), Tommy Doyle (0-02), Dylan Keavney (0-06), Warren Boyle, James Fitzmaurice and Barry Mullen. Best for Armagh were Dylan Mc Kenna, Joe O’Connor and Tiarnan Nevin.
Roscommon will now face Mayo in the All-Ireland B Semi-Final on Saturday August 20th in Castlebar. They defeated Kildare by 0-8 to 0-6 in their Quarter-Final. Roscommon will have have to improve on today’s showing as Mayo have a strong Under 21 team this year and already defeated Roscommon in a recent Tournament Final.
Roscommon Team
Kevin Kelly; Thomas Tracey, Kevin Crehan, Barry Mullen; Warren Boyle, James Fitzmaurice, Gearoid Egan; Tommy Doyle, Cathal Mahony; Eoin Cogavin, Dylan Keavney (0-6, 5 frees),Geaorid Keenan (0-2); Conor Mulry (1-3), Jason Martin (3-0), Oisin Hession.
Subs used: Eoghan Costello for Crehan, Brian Lawlor for Doyle, James Walker for Hession, John Brennan for Cogavin.