Hurlers limp over the line to register first victory in Nickey Rackard Cup
Seán Canning grabbed the all-important goal for the Roscommon senior hurlers against Armagh at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon. Picture: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
The Roscommon senior hurlers have registered their first victory in this season’s Nickey Rackard Cup but, once again, they were far from convincing at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon.
The home side looked set for a comfortable afternoon when substitute Seán Canning’s 54th minute goal established a 1-14 to 0-8 advantage.
But instead of kicking on, Roscommon retreated into their shell and when Armagh hit seven points in succession to erode the deficit to just two points, the unthinkable loomed.
Wing-back Micheál Hussey did settle Roscommon's nerves with a long-range effort deep into injury time but, with games against Fermanagh and Louth to come, Kevin Sammon’s men have plenty of creases to iron out.
Goalkeeper Enda Lawless also made three outstanding saves over the 70 minutes, underlining how precarious Roscommon’s position might have been, while a total of 18 wides will also command plenty of attention during the post-match review.
Roscommon were to 0-9 to 0-4 ahead at the break. It’s not that they set the world alight, but Cian Murray, Conor Mulry and Robbie Fallon found scores much easier to come by.
Despite the accurate free-taking of Armagh’s Shea Harvey, Roscommon were still relatively comfortable when Canning drilled a low shot to the corner of the net with 16 minutes remaining.
But they inexplicably switched off as Armagh scores from Charlie McArdle (2), Harvey (two frees, a ’65 and an effort from play) and Danny McGee left just two between them.
Hussey’s point from 60 metres ensured that Roscommon limped over the line but with a vastly inferior scoring difference to Sligo, who Roscommon drew with last weekend, two victories against Fermanagh and Louth is the minimum requirement over the coming weeks.
And, even at that, it might not be enough to set up a final meeting, probably against Mayo.
ROSCOMMON: E. Lawless; M. Ward, J. Dillon, D. Finn; A. Donnelly, C. Cosgrove (0-1, a free), M. Hussey (0-1); J. Dowling (0-2), E. Fitzgerald; C. Murray (0-2), F. Killion (0-2), B. Mulry; R. Fallon (0-3), C. Mulry (0-3), B. McGahon (0-1, a free). Subs used: S. Canning (1-0) for McGahon (half-time), K. Ryan for Dowling (58 mins).
ARMAGH: F. Woods; P. Lappin, D. Fox (0-1), N. Lennon; B. Shortt, P. Gaffney, T. Nevin; P. McKearney, O. Curry; S. Keenan, S. Gaffney (0-2), S. O’Keefe; P. McNaughton (0-1), S. Harvey (0-8, six frees, one ’65), C. Reneghan. Subs used: D. Harvey for Lappin (10 mins), C. McArdle (0-2) for McKearney (41 mins), J. O’Connor for Laverty (44 mins), D. Magee (0-1) for Gaffney (52 mins), C. Duffy for O’Keefe (69 mins), A. Cullinane for Lennon (70 mins, blood sub).
Referee: A. McAleer (Donegal).
