Roscommon on train back to Division One despite draw in Mullingar
JOB DONE: Ciaráin Murtagh and Enda Smith will be playing Division One League football in 2026. Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Kieran Martin’s two-pointer after the hooter sounded rescued a draw for Westmeath in Mullingar, but there was a reprieve for Davy Burke’s side as they were promoted to Division One by virtue of Meath and Cavan both losing.
What was in Roscommon’s control were matters inside the white lines of TEG Cusack Park, but the visitors contrived to blow a eight-point interval by a bout of squandermania after the break.
That inaccuracy gave Westmeath oxygen and five two-pointers in the second half, including three from midfielder Ray Connellan, gave them a share of the spoils.
Luke Loughlin’s early goal didn’t deter Roscommon from going about their business efficiently.
Keith Doyle was lording midfield, enabling the Roscommon forward open up a porous Westmeath defence.
Ciaráin Murtagh’s fourth minute goal ignited a scoring glut, as points from Murtagh — who was Roscommon’s best player over the 70 minutes — Cian McKeon (2), and Daire Cregg were followed by Enda Smith cutting in along the endline to set up Diarmuid Murtagh for his side’s second goal in the 17th minute.
Daire Cregg added to Roscommon’s tally with a couple of points but retired injured with what looked like a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
Westmeath added to their tally through Ray Connellan, Matthew Whittaker, Sam McCartan (a ’45) and Brian Cooney on the hooter, but Roscommon also kept the scoreboard ticking over through Enda Smith and Ciaráin Murtagh to lead by 2-10 to 1-5 at the break.
The teams were evenly matched in the third quarter, but Enda Smith saw a goalbound shot saved on the line, while another piledriver cannoned back of the crossbar.
Entering the final ten minutes, Roscommon still led by 2-16 to 1-13 but Westmeath came with a late burst with points by Sam McCartan, a ’45 by Luke Loughlin and a two-pointer by substitute Eoghan McCabe.
Even though the hooter sounded before Westmeath goalkeeper Conor McCormack dispatched his final kickout, play was allowed to continue and Martin threatened to throw the cat among the pigeons with a raking delivery from outside the 40-metre arc that cleared the crossbar to restore parity.
There was an agonising wait for Roscommon supporters as other results in the division had to be confirmed.
But Meath’s 1-19 to 0-17 loss against Louth alongside Cavan’s 0-21 to 0-19 reversal against Cork saw Roscommon promoted and their place in the Division Two League final against Monaghan in Croke Park confirmed on Sunday next.
