Allianz FL D1: Roscommon finish strongly
Furiously celebrated by the travelling Roscommon supporters and management, Roscommon will be content following an impressive start to the campaign under new manager Davy Burke.
Allianz Football League Division One – Roscommon 0-9 Galway 0-8
Substitute Richard Hughes’ point in the fifth minute of stoppage time ensured Roscommon left Salthill armed with the full complement of spoils.
Trailing by four following a point from Galway replacement Ian Burke in the 51st minute, Roscommon subsequently clipped five on the spin to earn victory.
Defensive in the opening period, scores and opportunities were scarce in the west. To illustrate how tight it was before the break Galway converted 0-5 from nine attempts, while Roscommon struck 0-3 from eight.
The fact that Damien Comer was stretchered off with a leg injury early on was another disappointing aspect for Galway supporters.
Initially Roscommon landed the first two points courtesy of Daire Cregg and Ciarán Lennon before Galway reeled off five without repl.
During that burst Dylan McHugh and Cillian McDaid clipped sweet efforts for Galway, who eventually departed 0-5 to 0-3 ahead at the turnaround.
Three of the next four points were registered by Galway, who edged 0-8 to 0-4 clear with 19 minutes remaining.
Roscommon, though, refused to be perturbed. Similar to last week’s win against Tyrone a number of players introduced to the game contributed handsomely. Ben O’Carroll (2) and Ciaráin Murtagh rifled over points prior to Diarmuid Murtagh’s 66th minute leveller.
Deep into additional time Roscommon thundered forward with Hughes supplying the decisive point and the visitors’ left the Corribside venue heartened.
Scorers for Roscommon: Diarmuid Murtagh 0-3 (1f), Ben O’Carroll 0-2, Ciarán Lennon, Richard Hughes, and Daire Cregg 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Dessie Conneely 0-3 (3fs), Cillian McDaid, Matthew Tierney, Dylan McHugh, Ian Burke, and Johnny Heaney 0-1 each.
Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Conor Hussey, Conor Daly, Eoin McCormack; Niall Daly, Brian Stack, Dylan Ruane; Tadhg O’Rourke, Keith Doyle; Enda Smith, Diarmuid Murtagh, Ciarán Lennon; Daire Cregg, Conor Cox, Robbie Dolan.
Subs: Ciaráin Murtagh for Cox (HT), Ben O’Carroll for Ruane (47), David Murray for McCormack (47), Richard Hughes for Doyle (51), Colin Walsh for Murray (65-68, blood), Paul Carey for D Murtagh (70+2).
Galway: Connor Gleeson; Jack Glynn, Eoghan Kelly, Neil Mulcahy; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Seán Kelly; Paul Conroy, Cillian McDaid; Paul Kelly, Matthew Tierney, Peter Cooke; Johnny Heaney, Damien Comer, Eoin Finnerty.
Subs: Dessie Conneely for Comer (10), Ian Burke for P Kelly (HT), Owen Gallagher for Finnerty (51), Cathal Sweeney for Cooke (55), Matthew Barrett for Heaney (64).
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).
By Cian O’Connell at Pearse Stadium
