Clann produce smash and grab raid to stun Pearses
Clann na nGael centre-back Dylan Sumner launches an attack for his side under pressure from Pádraig Pearses forward, Jack Tumulty, during Friday evening's senior football championship game in Johnstown. Picture: Eugene Pettit
The Roscommon Senior Football Championship returned with a bang on Friday evening as Clann na nGael rescued victory from the jaws of defeat with a late rally that stunned southern neighbours, Pádraig Pearses, in Johnstown.
The visitors were 2-10 to 1-9 ahead after 59 minutes and seemingly on course for a comfortable victory but, out of nowhere, Clann produced the ultimate smash and grab raid.
Oisín O'Flaherty's point seemed like a consolation a minute into injury time, but the large crowd in Johnstown could barely believe their eyes when, in Clann's next attack, Emmet Kenny's delivery from distance went all the way to the back of the Pearses net.
There was still time for a winner and when Kenny was fouled, Ciarán Lennon held his nerve to land the winner from the resultant 35-metre free.
A wasteful Pearses, who kicked ten first-half wides, were on level terms at the break, 1-3 to 0-6, thanks to Adam McGreal's 14th minute goal.
A fine goal by Ciarán Lennon propelled Clann 1-7 to 1-5 clear early in the second half but, led by Declan Kenny, Pearses wrestled back the initiative.
Jack Nevin's goal with eight minutes remaining put his side in the driving seat, but Clann's late scoring flurry gave them the bragging rights courtesy of a dramatic 2-11 to 2-10 victory.
In the other game in Group C, Boyle commenced their campaign with a 0-12 to 1-7 triumph against St. Dominic's at the Abbey Park.
Cian Kelly's goal handed Dominic's a 1-5 to 0-6 interval advantage but the experience of last year's beaten finalists shone through, and Cathal McKeon, who was making his senior championship debut, kicked 0-3 for Cian Smith's side.
In the intermediate championship, a more efficient Creggs side overcame St. Croan's by 3-9 to 1-9 in Creggs.
Damien Goggins' goal appeared to put Croan's in the driving seat when the visitors surged 1-3 to 0-1 ahead after 21 minutes.
But an unanswered 2-5 from Creggs, which included two goals for Darren Gately, either side of half time turned the game on its head.
The home side's victory was confirmed when Ronan Dowd netted late on.
In Group A, Shannon Gaels cruised to a 3-15 to 1-13 victory against Kilbride in Kilbride.
The damage was done in the opening half when two goals from Evan Corcoran and another from Matthew Bourke left the visitors on course for victory at the interval, leading by 3-9 to 0-6.
Kilbride produced a much better second half performance but despite a six-point haul from Ryan Dowling and a late consolation goal from Albert Looby, Shannon Gaels were home and hosed a long way from the final whistle.
