Mixed afternoon for Roscommon teams in National Leagues

It has been an afternoon of contrasting fortunes for Roscommon teams in their respective National Leagues this afternoon.

The Roscommon senior footballers made a disappointing start to their Allianz Division One League campaign when a poor second-half performance confirmed a 0-17 to 1-11 loss against Tyrone at O'Neills Healy Park, Omagh.

The visitors were really good going forward in the first 30 minutes, and Donie Smith's well-taken goal was one of many highlights.

But the brilliance of Darragh Canavan was pivotal in swinging the game in the home side's favour. 

Leading by 0-10 to 1-6 at the break, Tyrone's task looked more difficult when they lost Conn Kilpatrick to a straight red card. With Dylan Ruane returning after a black card picked up on the cusp of half time, it was in Roscommon's hands to kick on and deliver a big victory.

But they never came close as goalkeeper Niall Morgan, midfielder Brian Kennedy and the mercurial Canavan spearheaded their side's charge to an opening round win.

Cian Connolly had the ball in the net in injury time, but the score was ruled out for a debatable square ball. But that would have been clutching at straws as Tyrone deservedly prevailed by three points.

Davy Burke revealed afterwards that he had a "couple of missed calls" on his phone, hinting that some more St. Brigid's players might join Enda Smith in returning for next Sunday's crucial game against Galway at Dr. Hyde Park. 

Earlier in the day, the Roscommon intermediate ladies' football team made it two wins from two with a comfortable 1-14 to 0-6 victory against Louth at Kiltoom.

Laura Fleming's first-half goal put the home side in the driving seat as they led by 1-5 to 0-3 at half time.

The scoring prowess of Aisling Feely, Aisling Hanly and Fleming came to the fore in the second half as Ollie Lennon's side maintained their excellent start to the season.

*Match report on both games in Tuesday's Roscommon Herald