Three late goals condemn hurlers to damaging defeat in Christy Ring Cup
Adam Donnelly and his Roscommon team-mates suffered what could prove to be a costly defeat against Wicklow in Aughrim. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
Roscommon have finished bottom of the Christy Ring Cup after three late Wicklow goals condemned them to defeat at Echelon Park, Aughrim, on Saturday afternoon.
Unless New York win the Nickey Rackard Cup, Roscommon will be relegated back down to the tier they conquered less than 12 months ago.
It was always set to be a tough task for Roscommon to avoid bottom spot after gaining promotion last season. However, they will rue their draw with Donegal last week in a contest they led for large stages.
Here, they were tied with Wicklow at 0-9 apiece after 55 minutes and in with a chance of saving their status on their own terms. However, three Wicklow goals in a five-minute spell between the 59th and 64th minutes ensured Roscommon were left winless in this year’s campaign.
Wicklow created the best goal chance of the first half when, straight from the throw-in, Fionn Darcy raced through but Enda Lawless stood strong to divert his rasping effort away from danger. Moments later, Wicklow were in again but Jack Doyle overcooked his handpass across goal to Tommy Collins.
The first half saw the sides level seven times in what was a tense and low-scoring affair. Adam Donnelly was effective as a sweeper, but Roscommon struggled for traction up front while playing with the elements.
Seán Canning got Roscommon off the mark after Seanie Germaine opened the game’s scoring for Wicklow. With Roscommon dropping bodies deep, their ploy was to shoot from range, which led to seven opening half points alongside five wides.
Despite Jack Donnelly, Eamon Mulry, Cian Murray and Paddy Fallon finding the target, neither outfit could gain any degree of separation. Canning forced Conor McNally into a save at his near post while Lawless showed his sharp reflexes to deny Padraig Doyle from a 20m free.
In the final action of the half, Fallon tried to find Micheál Hussey inside, but despite the sliothar flying past the Oran man, Hussey was slide tackled by McNally. Despite appeals for a black card and a penalty, Roscommon were awarded a 20-metre free that Fallon slotted over to ensure the sides were deadlocked at 0-7 apiece at the interval.
Lawless was once more called into action four minutes into the final period as he showed excellent reflexes to deny Kenneth Cullen’s flicked effort from a Brandon Ryan sideline cut. Padraig Doyle got his side off the mark with a free but a Tommy Morris effort levelled the contest for the eighth time.
In an error-strewn second half, Tommy Collins and Cian Bowes (free) traded efforts to tie the game for the ninth time at 0-9 apiece after 55 minutes.
It would be the final time the two teams were deadlocked on the scoreboard as Seanie Germaine showed great perseverance to shake off Keelan Ryan and kick the sliothar to the net.
Bowes (free) and Canning hit back but, in a 60 second spell, Wicklow moved the game beyond the visitors.
Germaine won his side’s puckout before picking out Fionn Darcy, who turned inside before batting to the net. A minute later, Darcy turned provider as his aerial delivery found Jack Doyle, who sold a lovely dummy to Jason Martin and Lawless before finding the net.
Adam Donnelly netted a 20-metre free in the 68th minute but Roscommon struggled to get their hands on ball thereafter as Willie Cash’s late score ensured Roscommon’s fate is now out of their hands.
