Smith's heroics help Rossies earn stalemate against Meath
Diarmuid Murtagh celebrates his first-half goal against Meath at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park on Saturday evening. Picture: INPHO/Evan Logan
Enda Smith produced a performance for the ages, despite missing a penalty, but it was only good enough for a draw in a pulsating encounter at a windy Hyde Park.
The 2023 All-Star kicked three second-half two-pointers to help the Rossies overturn a five-point half-time deficit, although the home side enjoyed a strong wind at their backs.
In fact, all of Roscommon’s five second-half scores came via orange flags but Meath, with Ruairí Kinsella, James Conlon and Mathew Costello prominent, always managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Kinsella’s 64th minute point left the sides level, but both sides spurned chances to win it coming down the stretch.
Ruairí Kinsella raised his side’s first orange flag with the outside of his right boot in the fifth minute before Eoghan Frayne opened up a three-point gap after the visitors capitalised on a Roscommon turnover But Roscommon wiped out that deficit when Senan Lambe set up Diarmuid Murtagh for a well-taken goal after seven minutes.
Dylan Ruane nudged his side in front after Roscommon worked the ball upfield from goalkeeper Conor Carroll but the excellent James Conlon — who scored 0-5 from play during a productive opening 35 minutes — got off the mark to bring the sides level.
In the 15th minute, Roscommon struck for a second goal when Shane Cunnane found Ben O’Carroll raiding in behind the Meath rearguard, and the St. Brigid’s forward produced an assured finish past Billy Hogan.
Meath began to win the midfield battle, and Roscommon’s cause wasn’t helped by the loss of Niall Higgins to injury.
Conlon added a couple of rapid-fire points before Daire Cregg replied for the Rossies after Lambe grabbed primary possession in the middle of the park.
But Meath began to flex their muscles, mostly off Roscommon turnovers and their dominance around the middle.
Conlon and Conor Duke sent over a couple of two-pointers in jig time, while Jordan Morris also found the range to open up a 0-12 to 2-3 gap.
Menton arced over the Royals’ fourth two-pointer of the half, and Conlon soon added to his tally to stretch his side’s buffer to six points.
Cregg grabbed a much-needed score for Roscommon before Morris and Ciaráin Murtagh — a free on the hooter — left it 0-16 to 2-5 in favour of Meath at the change of ends.
The second half was laden with drama as Smith put a missed 41st minute penalty behind him to spearhead his side’s recovery.
Billy Hogan’s 46th minute two-point free from 45 metres, following earlier point from Seán Coffey and Frayne, left Meath 0-20 to 2-9 ahead but Robbie Brennan’s side would only trouble the scoreboard once more.
Diarmuid Murtagh kicked a couple of two-pointers, while Smith added another to leave the Rossies ahead by the bare minimum with nine minutes remaining.
Kinsella restored parity, although both sides will rue missed chances in the final five minutes.
Mathew Costello fisted against the crossbar after a surging run, with substitute Conor Gray unable to force the rebound home, while Meath full-back Seán Rafferty produced a brilliant tackle at the death to deny Ben O’Carroll when he looked certain to score the winner.
In the end, both sides had to settle for a draw, which was a fair result given the game’s fluctuating fortunes.
Scorers – Roscommon: D Murtagh 1-4 (2 2p), E Smith 0-6 (3 2p), B O’Carroll 1-0, D Cregg 0-2, D Ruane, S Lambe, C Murtagh (1f) 0-1 each.
Meath: J Conlon 0-6 (1 2p), R Kinsella 0-3 (1 2p), E Frayne, C Duke (1 2p), B Menton (1 2p), J Morris, B Hogan (1 2pf) 0-2 each, M Costello (1f), S Coffey 0-1 each.
