Roscommon strike late to earn share of the spoils
Darragh Finn struck 0-3 as Roscommon secured a gritty draw with Donegal
The Roscommon hurlers struck late to secure their first point of the Christy Ring Cup campaign as Darragh Finn's late leveller was just reward for a battling display.
Liam McKinney appeared to have done enough to have secured a victory for a Donegal side who shot 18 wides, but Roscommon had other ideas as they secured what could prove a valuable point on the road.
Roscommon sit one point behind Wicklow with the two counties squaring off next weekend in a straight shootout to see who will avoid finishing bottom of the table.
The team that finishes at the foot of the pile will be relegated unless New York win the Nickey Rackard Cup.
Roscommon hung tough in the opening half as early Keelan Ryan and Seán Canning scores helped them keep in the mix. Three early McKinney scores propelled Donegal 0-4 to 0-2 in front but Roscommon got a huge boost when Cian Murray netted in the 23rd minute.
Ryan and Bowes found the target before a Niall Fleming score left Roscommon ahead by just the minimum, 1-5 to 0-7 at half time.
McKinney continued to display his class but Roscommon were growing in belief with a super score from an acute angle by Murray only boosting their confidence.
Paddy Fallon (free) and Darragh Finn propelled Roscommon 1-11 to 0-10 ahead and left them on the verge of a huge win.
Declan Coulter and Gerard Gilmore bagged a brace each but a Darragh Finn effort helped Roscommon keep their noses in front.
In a dramatic finale, McKinney left Donegal on the brink of victory but Roscommon did enough to garner some momentum ahead of next weekend’s huge showdown.
