Roscommon strike late to secure share of the spoils
Abby Curran protects possession from Duana Coleman in this afternoon's tussle between Roscommon and Antrim. Picture: Roscommon LGFA.
For the second week running Roscommon’s ladies footballers secured a draw with a late equaliser.
However, just like the Fermanagh game a week earlier, Roscommon saw a late chance to prevail go abegging as in the final passage of play, Kate Nolan’s effort from range dropped into the grateful arms of Aine Devlin in the Antrim goal.
Caoimhe Lennon’s late equaliser ensured Roscommon struck late for the second week running after her cousin Róise levelled the contest against Fermanagh seven days prior.
Antrim will feel this was an opportunity they let slip. Chris Scullion’s side kicked 12 wides as opposed to Roscommon’s two while they also dropped six efforts into the hands of Helena Cummins over the hour.
The visitors to St. Croan’s GAA Grounds enjoyed the perfect start as Maria O’Neill left the Roscommon defence trailing in her wake before coolly slotting beyond Cummins for a goal inside two minutes.
A pair of Aisling Hanly scores helped Roscommon hang tough as they trailed 1-2 to 0-2 after 16 minutes.
From there until half time, Roscommon outscored their foes 2-2 to 0-2. Antrim shot seven opening half wides and the hosts capitalised on these squandered opportunities.
Caoimhe Lennon saw her effort from range fly over the head of Devlin into the roof of the net while 10 minutes later the Clann na nGael clubwoman’s tap and go gave her the space to crack a second goal in.
With Roscommon lead 2-4 to 1-4 at half time, they were in pole position to secure their second win of the campaign.
However, Roscommon struggled with Antrim’s physicality while their own turnover rate was far too high in a flat second half display.
The Roscommon defence kept them afloat but the pressure eventually told as Maria O’Neill netted to move her side 2-6 to 2-4 ahead. Antrim continued to miss chances while a breach allowed sub Róise Lennon to register Roscommon’s first score of the second half after 51 minutes.
Róise Lennon added two classy scores from play, but a pair of O’Neill frees left Antrim on the cusp of victory. But Caoimhe Lennon slotted over the equaliser to ensure Roscommon sit on five points out of a possible nine.
Next up is a trip to face Down in two week’s time.
*Full report and reaction in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
