Curran's early goal sets Roscommon U-20s on their way to victory against Sligo
Roscommon full-forward Ryan Dowling looks to lay off possession as Sligo corner-back David Lyons monitors developments during Wednesday evening's Connacht U-20 Football Championship encounter at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
Roscommon picked up their first win of this year's Connacht U-20 Football Championship as John Curran's early goal laid the platform for a comfortable victory against Sligo at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park on Wednesday evening.
Manager Cian Smith said beforehand that last week's opening round loss against Mayo wouldn't define Roscommon's season, but, realistically, they had to get something out of this game, and they duly delivered against a disappointing Sligo side.
Roscommon were the dominant team in the opening quarter, building up a six-point lead before Sligo furrowed a path back into proceedings.
The excellent Dillon Walsh opened the scoring for the visitors before Castlerea St. Kevin's forward, John Curran, latched on to a long ball and powered his effort into the net past Sligo goalkeeper, Ethan Carden in the fifth minute.
Dara Mostyn burst through the heart of the Roscommon defence for a score, but Roscommon took control, thanks to the dominance of Niall Heneghan and David Higgins in the middle of the field.
Daniel Hagney hit a debatable two-pointer for the hosts before Rory Carthy, John McGuinness and Ryan Dowling tagged on points for Cian Smith’s outfit, procuring a 1-5 to 0-2 advantage.
Sligo captain Ronan Niland, from a free, and Carthy swapped scores but Roscommon subsequently lost their way in attack.
The Yeats County rallied, and points from Eamon O’Mahony, Niland and Walsh left their side 1-6 to 0-6 behind at the break.
But Curran’s early two-pointer set the tone for the second half as the young Rossies comfortably kept their opponents at arm’s length for the remainder of the contest.
Robert O’Kelly-Lynch, Niland and two frees from Mostyn were Sligo’s sole scores of the second half.
But Roscommon kept the scoreboard ticking over through Hagney, the influential Higgins, Curran, McGuinness, substitute Ruairi Kilcline, Rory Carthy and Eoin Collins to run out comfortable winners.
Roscommon have a bye next Wednesday before they round off their campaign with games against Galway and Leitrim.
Scorers – Roscommon: J Curran 1-3 (2p), D Hagney (2p), R Carthy 0-3 each, J McGuinness, R Kilcline (1m) 0-2 each, R Dowling, D Higgins, E Collins 0-1 each. Sligo: D Mostyn (2f), R Niland (1f) 0-3 each, D Walsh 0-2, E O’Mahony, R O’Kelly-Lynch 0-1 each.
ROSCOMMON - P Gaynor; K Kelly, T Morris, C Campbell; D Hagney, E Carthy, E Collins; N Heneghan, D Higgins; C Kelly, J McGuinness, C McKeon; J Curran, R Dowling, R Carthy. Subs: R Kilcline for Dowling (47), B Murphy for Hagney (53), C Grogan for McKeon (56), J Nevin for Curran (56), R Henry for R Carthy (58).
SLIGO – E Carden; R O’Hehir, O Harte, D Lyons; R O’Callaghan, T Ross, R O’Kelly-Lynch; E Keane, E O’Mahony; T Bailey, R Niland, D Walsh; P Flynn, D Mostyn, M Walsh Subs: M Carroll for Bailey (36), D Callaghan for M Walsh (36), M Sheridan for Flynn (49), C Carty for Keane (55).
REF – P Lydon (Mayo).
