Fermanagh's running game takes Roscommon out of championship equation
The Roscommon intermediate ladies' football panel before Sunday's championship game against Fermanagh in Kiltoom. Picture: Courtesy of Roscommon LGFA
Roscommon are out of this year’s intermediate ladies’ football championship after leaving themselves with too much to do against Fermanagh in Kiltoom on Sunday afternoon.
Late goals from substitutes Rachel Fitzmaurice and Róise Lennon failed to gloss over a hugely disappointing performance from Finbar Egan’s charges where Fermanagh, led by the excellent Eimear Smith, ran riot.
The opening half was all about Fermanagh’s running power and a number of excellent saves by Helena Cummins.
Roscommon were 1-2 to 0-2 ahead, thanks to Caoimhe Lennon’s fortunate fifth minute goal, when Fermanagh struck for four goals in seven minutes.
All green flags emanated from Fermanagh players breaking tackles far too easily as Bronagh Smith and the impressive Molly McGloin found the net. It could have been worse for the home side but Cummins made at least three point-blank saves.
Then, two goals inside 60 seconds in the 23rd minute from full-forward Eimear Smyth left Fermanagh almost out of sight.
A couple of frees from Laura Mannion and Aisling Hanley stemmed the bleeding somewhat as Fermanagh took a 4-2 to 1-5 lead into the interval.
The visitors were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over after the break, through Aoife McCabe, Sarah McCarville, Smyth (four frees), Seána Feeley and Joanne Doonan.
Last year’s junior champions were 4-10 to 1-8 ahead after 59 minutes before an unanswered 2-1, which included a point from Aimee O’Connor that was sandwiched between goals from Fitzmaurice and Lennon, took the edge off the final scoreline from a Roscommon perspective.
Fermanagh march on, for Roscommon, they must dust themselves down for a relegation play-off.
Roscommon: H. Cummins; M. Kelly, R. Brady, S. Wynne; N. Feeney, Ria Lennon, M. McKeon; E. Irwin, A. Curran; N. Watson, S. McGuinness, L. Mannion (0-2, one free); A. Hanley (0-3, two frees), E. Thompson, C. Lennon (1-2). Subs used: L. Shanagher (0-1) for Watson (half-time), Róise Lennon (1-0, one penalty) for Mannion (40 mins), A. O’Connor (0-1) for Hanley (51 mins), R. Fitzmaurice (1-0) for McKeon (57 mins), G. Lohan for McGuinness (57 mins).
