Rampant Roscommon secure fourth win in a row
Conor Cryan netted for Roscommon in their comfortable win over Leitrim at a rain drenched King and Moffatt Dr Hyde Park
In the end, this was pretty satisfactory for Shane Moran and the Roscommon minor team.
A comprehensive win over a disappointing Leitrim side won’t define Roscommon’s year but on a difficult evening for football, the home side comprehensively completed the round robin stage of the Connacht championship with a flawless record.
A Roscommon side showing 14 changes from the team that had secured a Connacht final berth last time out saw plenty of players put their hands up for inclusion in next month’s Connacht final.
For a Roscommon side who enjoyed the advantage of a strong breeze, the opening period was all about building up a sufficient buffer to work with in the final period. They went about their task with fervour as Sean Duggan stroked over a two pointer with 15 seconds on the clock.
But, Leitrim managed to frustrate their hosts for much of the opening quarter as extended periods of possession saw them kill the clock effectively. Duggan and Dylan Goode nabbed scores in the first quarter but despite Roscommon beginning to turn the screw on the Leitrim restart, the visitors would have been content with their early work.
Roscommon’s ability to halt the runner and get bodies around the Leitrim man in possession in the second quarter saw them carve out openings as a Duggan two-pointer came just moments after Hugh McGovern was bottled up.
Roscommon goalkeeper Shane Carroll got his only touch of the ball in the first half when he needed to be alert to deny Colm McLaughlin’s palmed effort. When Duggan pointed on the counter, it was a sign Roscommon’s much changed side were clicking.
Late scores from James O’Brien, who had won the turnover that led to Roscommon’s quick fire attack and Cronan McLoughlin left Roscommon 0-10 to 0-0 ahead at the interval.
A 10 point lead was not insurmountable for Leitrim but Roscommon effectively ended their hopes with 1-2 in the opening five minutes of the final period. The first score came in emphatic fashion as half time sub Sam Walsh teed up the rampaging Conor Cryan who lashed an effort to the roof of the net.
Cillian McGowan and Cronan McLoughlin gave Roscommon a 1-12 to no score lead and left them out of reach. A luckless Leitrim were left to rue the breeze dying down considerably but Hugh McGovern managed to get their opening score of the contest after 36 minutes.
Duggan restored the 15 point buffer but despite a Senan Kelly free, Roscommon cruised to a fourth record on the bounce.
*Full report in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
