Roscommon’s promotion hopes dashed by determined Donegal
James Dillon and Roscommon were denied promotion and a league final berth by a superior Donegal.
Roscommon’s hopes of promotion and securing a league final berth were dashed by a superior Donegal side this afternoon.
In the end, Brian Hanley’s side were second best against a slicker and sharper Donegal outfit, who could have won by more had they not fired 13 wides and spurned numerous goal chances.
Even though Roscommon enjoyed a strong start through early efforts from Conor Morris (free) and Cian Murray, the warning signs were there for the home side.
Donegal fired in two early wides but when the visitors began to move the sliothar closer to goal, they plundered 1-5 without reply to give them a lead they would not surrender.
John Cronnolly McGee’s brilliantly taken goal capped that run and even though Donegal’s shooting was far from perfect in the opening half as they registered nine wides, their ability to break the tackle led them to carve open the Roscommon defence repeatedly. One such example came in the 12th minute as Kevin Kealy broke through before teeing up Richie Ryan, who lashed to the net.
At 2-5 to 0-4 down, Roscommon enjoyed a mini revival with five points on the spin as Seán Canning’s influence became more pronounced with the Pádraig Pearses man firing a brace. Donegal fired only one score in 13 minutes as a Paddy Fallon free made this a one point game, 0-12 to 2-7.
However, Donegal reached the level they showed earlier in the half as they buried 1-3 with Ryan expertly batting to the net before Enda Lawless needed to be sharp to deny him a hat trick. Still, Donegal led 3-10 to 0-12 at the change of ends.
Even though the sides shared the opening six points, Donegal’s threat was more pronounced as Lawless once more prevented Ryan from bagging a hat trick. Liam McKinney bagged four scores in the third quarter as he took over free taking duties from captain Gerard Gilmore, who was forced off in the opening half.
Paddy Fallon and Conor Morris’ frees kept Roscommon afloat but their afternoon was summed up by Conor Morris seeing a scooped effort saved by Luke White before the sliothar ricocheted back off him and past the post.
McKinney continued to punish Roscommon transgressions while John Kealy and Cronolly McGee both went close to finding Donegal’s fourth goal. Conor Mulry and Adam Donnelly (free) were denied by White but in a second half where Roscommon only scored four points from play and seven in total, they never appeared likely to reel in a classier Donegal outfit.
Donegal and Wicklow will line out in Division Two next season while Roscommon must reset ahead of the opening round of the Chirsty Ring Cup against Derry next month.
*Full report and reaction in Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald*
