Nugent's last-gasp free rescues draw for Roscommon
Bobby Nugent's free with the last kick of the game rescued a draw for the Roscommon U-20 footballers against Sligo this evening. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Captain Bobby Nugent rescued a draw for the Roscommon U-20 footballers against Sligo at Markievicz Park this evening as his last-gasp free earned the visitors a deserved share of the spoils in testing conditions.
Having missed a more straightforward free moments earlier, Nugent’s effort from 45 metres just cleared the crossbar to give Roscommon their second draw of the campaign following their stalemate with Mayo a week earlier.
A blistering third quarter from Noel Dunning’s charges overturned a four-point half-time deficit into a two-point lead.
But Sligo, who are going for a hat-trick of provincial titles at this level, finished strongly with a hat-trick of points to seemingly sneak the victory — that was until Nugent played a captain’s part to land a free under immense pressure.
Playing against a strong breeze in the opening half, Roscommon saw plenty of possession but Sligo were happy to put bodies into their central defensive channels, meaning that the visitors were often forced wide and were, ultimately, unable to penetrate the home side’s defence.
Sligo looked much more comfortable with the ball in hand and a fine point from an acute angle by Eli Rooney was followed by a well-struck '45 by the Sligo corner forward.
With Shane Walsh and Conor Ryan seeing plenty of ball around the middle of the field alongside a couple of crucial turnovers, Roscommon settled for a ten-minute spell, and frees by Shane McGinley and Rory Carthy — a late replacement for Ryan Dowling — left the sides deadlocked at 0-2 apiece after 14 minutes.
However, Noel Dunning’s side wouldn’t trouble the scoreboard again for the remainder of the opening half.
Sligo captain Ross Doherty edged Sligo back in front before Roscommon’s dominance around the middle began to wane, resulting in two rapid-fire for wing-back Rossa Sloyan off a couple of Seán Allen kickouts.
There was still time for Luke Marren to tag on a free, following a foul on Eoin Barrett, to leave the home side 0-6 to 0-2 ahead at half time.
Roscommon were transformed on the resumption as a couple of crucial turnovers were followed by a quick transition into the forward line.
A mark from McGinley, after a spectacular catch, got the ball rolling before Eoghan Carthy ambled forward and kicked a score.
Rory Carthy’s 37th minute free left just a point between them before a wonderful catch by Conor Ryan allowed the Pádraig Pearses midfielder equalise from a mark from straight in front of the posts.
Roscommon were playing with confidence, not allowing Sligo to build up momentum and when McGinley’s lead score was followed by another composed effort by Rory Hester, the “Primrose and Blue” were in the box seat with 14 minutes remaining.
But Sligo, aided by the impact off the bench, found their second wind and Eli Rooney took advantage of a short free to grab his side’s first score of the half after 49 minutes.
With the excellent Doherty now dictating matters around the middle, Sligo grew in confidence and a free by Marren restored parity before Ronan Niland finished off a Sligo move up the middle for the lead score.
But Roscommon dug deep and Nugent kept his composure to land the equaliser in the fourth minute of injury time to ensure that his side remained unbeaten ahead of the visit of Galway, who were defeated by Mayo this evening, to Dr. Hyde Park in two weeks’ time.
SLIGO: E. Carden; R. Chambers, C. Johnston, T. Ross; E. Barrett, D. McLoughlin, R. Sloyan (0-2); C. Sheridan, R. Doherty (0-1); D. Walsh, R. Niland (0-1), J. Donlon; L. Marren (0-2, both frees), C. Walsh, E. Rooney (0-3, one ’45). Subs used: R. O’Kelly-Lynch for Barrett (37 mins), R. O’Callaghan for D. Walsh (50 mins), C. Kenny for C. Walsh (50 mins), R. O’Hehir for Chambers (59 mins), F. Campbell for Sheridan (60 mins).
ROSCOMMON: S. Allen; E. Kerins, D. Casey, T. Morris; J. McGreal, S. Lambe, E. Carthy (0-1); C. Ryan (0-1, a mark), S. Walsh; R. Hester (0-1), B. Nugent (0-1, a free), R. Heneghan; S. McGinley (0-3, one free, one mark), R. Carthy (0-2, both frees), C. Harley. Subs used: R. Conlon for Heneghan (51 mins), D. Hagney for Hester (51 mins), O. O’Flaherty for Walsh (54 mins), R. Dowling for R. Carthy (54 mins), N. O’Donnell for McGinley (58 mins).
Referee: C. Ryan (Galway).
