BLAST FROM THE PAST: When the Rossies ruled the Kingdom in Killarney
WE DID IT: Ciaráin Murtagh celebrates with joint manager Fergal O'Donnell following the Rossies' narrow one-point victory against Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, in 2016. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Ten years ago, Roscommon secured their first-ever win on Kingdom soil when they defeated Kerry by 0-14 to 1-10 in a Division One League game at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.
After losing out narrowly to Monaghan in their first game, Kevin McStay and Fergal O’Donnell’s side bounced back spectacularly with a spirited performance in tricky conditions.
Kerry, who were managed by Eamon Fitzmaurice, were 1-6 to 0-8 ahead at the break but the Rossies — led by the excellent Cathal Cregg — had hit eight points without reply during that opening stanza.
Stephen O’Brien scored the only goal of the game before the break but Roscommon showed great courage in the second half, with points from Enda Smith, Conor Devaney, Cregg and Ciaráin Murtagh changing the momentum of the game.
Ironically, one of Kerry’s second-half points came from substitute Conor Cox, who is now very much part of the Roscommon panel.
Apart from Cox, only Enda Smith and Ronan Daly, who were on duty that day, are likely to be involved when the sides meet on Sunday.
KERRY: B. Kelly; B. Ó Beaglaoich, M. Griffin, S. Enright; P. Murphy, A. O’Mahony, K. Young; D. Moran, J. Buckley (0-2); J. Lyne, D. O’Sullivan, D. Walsh; B.J. Keane (0-5, four frees), T. Walsh (0-1), S. O’Brien (1-1). Subs: T. O’Sullivan for Lyne (12 mins), A. Fitzgerald for D Walsh (49 mins), C. Cox (0-1, one free) for Keane (57 mins), F. Fitzgerald for Enright (58 mins), Barry O’Sullivan for Buckley (63 mins), Brendan O’Sullivan for T. Walsh (68 mins).
ROSCOMMON: D. O’Malley; S. McDermott, N. Collins, N. McInerney; D. Murray, N. Daly, R. Stack; E. Smith (0-3), I. Kilbride; F. Cregg (0-2, two frees), C. Daly, C. Devaney (0-2); C. Murtagh (0-2, one free), C. Connolly (0-1), C. Cregg (0-4). Subs: C. Shine for Kilbride (54 mins), S. Purcell for C. Daly (57 mins), R. Daly for C. Cregg (black card, 58 mins), C. McHugh for Connolly (63 mins).
Referee: F. Kelly (Longford).
