Mood swing amongst chasing pack in senior football championship
Last year's intermediate football champions, Castlerea St. Kevin's, had plenty to celebrate in the senior football championship on Friday evening. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
It wasn’t quite Friday Night Fever in the Roscommon Senior Football Championship as three teams that didn’t fare so well in the opening round breathed fresh life into their championship ambitions.
Tulsk and Roscommon Gaels would have been feeling good about themselves after opening round wins, but they were brought right back down to earth by Castlerea St. Kevin’s and Oran respectively, while Pádraig Pearses recovered from their late collapse against Clann na nGael to get the better of St. Dominic’s.
It was tough, tight and tense in Tulsk as last year’s intermediate champions, Castlerea St. Kevin’s, frustrated the home side to secure a famous 0-10 to 0-9 victory in Group A.
As was the case last year, Castlerea’s defensive unit laid the platform for victory, wrapping up a Tulsk side that had scored three goals against Oran in the first round.
The sides were level, 0-5 apiece, at the break, but, led by goalkeeper David Farrell, Seán Joyce, captain Thomas Callaghan, Aaron McDermott and Adam McDermott, the visitors eked out a deserved narrow one-point win against a Tulsk side that made too many mistakes on the evening.
Roscommon Gaels were expected to enjoy further bragging rights against neighbours Oran in the other game in the group, but a dramatic second half saw the sides finish level, 1-6 apiece, in Lisnamult.
Three Ryan Conlon points helped the Gaels into a 0-5 to 0-2 interval lead in a poor-quality first half.
A second black card for Senan Lambe rocked the Gaels, as did the concession of a goal to Mike Dwyer soon afterwards.
But when Richard Walsh palmed the ball to the net to establish a 1-6 to 1-3 advantage for Mark Dowd’s side, their mini-crisis appeared to be over.
Not so, however, as a black card for ace attacker Peter Gillooly further dented the Gaels’ hopes. And when a couple of Darragh Walsh frees were followed by Jack Casey’a equaliser, Oran finally had something to chew on ahead of their final group game against Castlerea St. Kevin’s.
In Group C, a strong second-half showing from Pádraig Pearses in Kiltoom procured a 1-12 to 0-10 victory against St. Dominic’s who remain pointless after two games.
A tetchy opening half finished with the sides level at 0-5 apiece at half time.
But Pearses took over as Dominic’s only managed a further point in the next 26 minutes.
With Eoin Colleran and Paul Carey coming off the bench, the former set up Seán Canning for Pearses’ goal. Jack Tumulty kicked three points as the 2021 champions surged 1-11 to 0-6 ahead with four minutes remaining.
The only bright note from a Dominic’s perspective was the return of Daire Keenan who was one of the more influential players for his side.
In the only game played in the intermediate championship, St. Croan’s woes continued after they suffered a heavy 3-17 to 3-5 defeat against Fuerty in Enfield.
The home side were level at the break, 2-2 to 0-8, thanks to a couple of goals from Damien Goggins (penalty) and Cathal Connelly.
But, aided by Gearóid Ennis’ ten-point haul alongside goals from Oisín and Tadhg Lyons (2), Fuerty cantered to a 12-point victory.
In the Junior A Football Championship, two goals from Tommy Morris and Liam Óg Coyle helped St. Aidan's to a comfortable 2-9 to 0-4 victory against St. Ronan's in Frenchpark.
