Page 27 - INTO THE WEST - March-April 2018

Roscommon comeback for victory
Roscommon .......1-17 rTipperary ...........3-9
By JOHN FALLON Media West Ireland
Murtagh.
Liam McGrath edged Tipperary in front
with.a 25th minute penalty and efforts from Liam Casey and Sweeney put them a goal to the good approaching the break.
OSCOMMOn staged a dramatic come- back to score 1-5 without reply in the closing minutes to snatch victory in this
niall Kilroy ended a barren roscommon spell when he got their first point in 16 minutes, but Tipperary finished the half on the front foot and another Sweeney free left them leading by 1-6 to 0-6 at the inter-
exciting division Two clash in Thurles. Tipperary looked to be coasting to their
val.Quinlivan rattled the roscommon crossbar just 15 seconds after the restart and while Fergal Lennon went downfield and
second win of the campaign when they led by 3-9 to 0-12 with five minutes of regular time
left.But roscommon, who clawed their way back to draw with Meath on the opening weekend, again staged a remarkable rally with a goal from diarmuid Murtagh helping them draw level in stoppage time before they pushed on for the win.
pointed, it was Tipper- ary who increased their lead.
Tipperary led by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break, with Conor Sweeney getting the goal from a penalty after 20 minutes when Michael Quinli- van was fouled.
Jack Kennedy pointed a free from the left wing and then Sweeney slotted home his second penalty when Brian Fox was fouled.
That levelled the match as roscommon were hauled back after a bright start.
He quickly added a point to lead by 2-8 to 0-7 and while roscommon rallied, a magnificent goal from Quinlivan
after he soloed through looked set to
be enough for Tipperary to claim the points.
The sides twice exchanged points in the opening ten minutes before Kevin McStay’s men pulled ahead with points from Ciarain Murtagh, Ciaran Lennon and diarmuid
But roscommon struck late with Murtagh’s goal cutting the gap to two before niall daly and diarmuid Murtagh levelled.
rearguard
They were not content with
the draw, with captain Conor
devaney edging them in front
in the fourth minute of stop-
page time and donie Smith
doubled the lead moments
later to seal a dramatic win.
SCORERS – Tipperary: Conor Sweeney 2-4 (2-0 pen, 0-2f), Michael Quinlivan 1-0, Liam McGrath 0-2 (0-1f), Liam Casey 0-1, Jack Kennedy 0-1 (0-1f), Liam Boland 0-1.
Roscommon: Diarmuid Murtagh 1-4 (0-3f), Ciaráin Murtagh 0-3 (0-3f), Niall Kilroy 0-2, Donie Smith 0-2 (0-1 sideline), Conor Devaney 0-2, Fergal Lennon 0-1, Fintan Cregg 0-1, Niall Daly 0-1, Ciaran Lennon 0-1. TIPPERARY: E Comerford; S O’Connell, J Meagher, A Campbell; B Maher, R Kiely, J Feehan; L Casey, S O’Brien; J Keane, J Kennedy, B Fox; C Sweeney, M Quinlivan, L McGrath. Subs: L Boland for McGrath (57), K Fahey for Kennedy (62), G Hannigan for Casey (67).
ROSCOMMON: C Lavin; D Murray, J McManus, N McInerney; F Lennon, S Mullooly, C Devaney; T O’Rourke, E Smith; N Daly, N Kilroy, F Cregg; D Murtagh, C Lennon, C Murtagh. Subs: B Stack for Fintan Cregg (31), Finbar Cregg for Mullooly (46), D Smith for C Murtagh (53), I Kilbride for O’Rourke (55), C Daly for E Smith (60), R Daly for F Lennon (65).
REFEREE: Noel Mooney (Cavan).
shot saved, which allowed Down to cruise to the win, which frustrated McStay.
“It was very frustrating. I don’t know how to sum it up. It was really very disappointing. From the first ball to the last ball, it was one of the poorest performances in my time here. We all need to have a good look at that,” said McStay.
SCORERS – Roscommon: D Murtagh 0-2 (2f), D Smith 0-2 (1’45), C McKeon 0-2 (2f), C Devaney 0-1 Tyrone: D O’Hare 0-3 (2f), B O’Hagan 0-1, C Mooney 0-1, N Donnelly 0-1, A Doherty 0-1 (1’45), R Johnston 0-1, C Flanagan 0-1, D O’Hagan 0-1, D O’Hanlon 0-1 (1f), N Madine 0-1.
DOWN: M Reid; A Doherty, B McArdle (K Quinn 67), C Flanagan; D O’Hagan, N McParland, C Mooney; C Poland (D O’Hanlon 55), N Donnelly; S Millar, C Maginn, R Johnston; B O’Hagan (S McKibbin 55), D O’Hare (N Madine 64 BC), A Morgan.
ROSCOMMON: J Featherston; D Murray, J McManus, N McInerney; N Daly, F Lennon (C Daly 55), R Stack (S McDermott 62); E Smith (U Harney 68), I Kilbride; F Cregg (C Murtagh ht), N Kilroy (H Darcy 59), C Devaney (c); D Murtagh, C Lennon, C McKeon (D Smith 47).
REFEREE: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).
ALLIANZ NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
DIVISION 2 ROUND 2
STAR: Roscommon forward Diarmuid Murtagh led the way in their brilliant comeback against Tipperary.
Photo: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE
INTO THE WEST – Page 27