Kenny strikes late to maintain hurlers' league status
Cathal Kenny scored Roscommon's vital goal against Sligo at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
Cathal Kenny struck the decisive goal with just a minute of normal time remaining to rescue victory from the jaws of defeat for the county senior hurlers at Bekan on Saturday afternoon.
With London beating Armagh, Roscommon's status in Division Three would have been assured because of their better scoring difference but defeat against an already-relegated Sligo side would still have been a bitter bill to swallow ahead of the Nickey Rackard Cup.
And it was looking that way when Sligo deservedly held a two-point advantage in the 69th minute but Kenny grabbed a long delivery, made inroads along the endline, and delivered an emphatic finish to save Roscommon's bacon.
Whether it was the last-minute change of venue from King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park because of an unplayable pitch, Roscommon looked all at sea early on, and Paul O'Leary's 26th minute goal handed the Yeats County a 1-6 to 0-1 lead.
But the arrival of Robbie Fallon for the injured Finn Killion made a huge difference. The Athleague player hit three points from play against a strong wind alongside providing a delicious pass for Conor Mulry to grab his side's opening goal just before the break.
The sides were level, 1-7 apiece, at the change of ends, but Thomas Cawley's goal inside a minute of the restart was the last thing Roscommon needed.
They recovered to take the lead momentarily, but a few wonderful points from play by Sligo wing-forward Conor Hannify meant that the momentum was with his side as Roscommon appeared to be running out of ideas.
But Kenny's goal was crucial, and when Conor Cosgrove tagged on a point soon afterwards, Roscommon could breathe more easily.
ROSCOMMON: E. Lawless; M. Ward, J. Dillon, D. Finn; M. Hussey, J. Donnelly, C. Cosgrove (0-2); E. Fitzgerald (0-1), J. Dowling (0-1); C. Murray (0-1), F. Killion, B. Mulry (0-2); C. Mulry (1-1), B. McGahon (0-3, three frees), C. Kenny (1-1). Subs used: R. Fallon (0-3) for Killion (13 mins), C. Kennelly for Fitzgerald (51 mins), A. Donnelly for Mulry (53 mins), B. Lawlor for Murray (63 mins), D. Staunton for Kenny (70 mins).
