Allianz FL D1: Roscommon finish strongly

Allianz Football League Division One

Roscommon 2-16 Galway 0-21

By Cian O'Connell at Pearse Stadium

This was a stirring Roscommon comeback on a wild night in the west.

Trailing by 13 points early in the second half, Mark Dowd's rapidly improving team thundered back into the contest. Goals from Enda Smith and Daire Cregg were part of a dramatic Roscommon recovery mission.

In the opening period Roscommon appeared to be in deep distress, but they persevered.

Cregg, a potent threat throughout, and Diarmuid Murtagh landed important scores as Roscommon finished with a real flourish.

Galway, so dominant earlier in the game, only managed to register a single point in the closing 23 minutes of the match. At the opposite end of the field Roscommon posted 2-8.

These really are encouraging times for Roscommon, who've stitched a three game winning sequence together.

Backed by the elements, Galway controlled the second quarter, repeatedly winning possession in the middle third before driving forward with a real sense of purpose.

Initially, Galway missed three two point efforts, but as the half wore on, the locals efficiency improved considerably in this department.

Matthew Tierney and Liam Ó Conghaile (2) nailed sweet efforts from distance for Padraic Joyce's outfit.

By the time the interval rolled around, Galway, with Seán Kelly influential, had edged 0-16 to 0-5 ahead.

That advantage was stretched after the restart as Seán Kelly, Finnerty, Ó Conghaile, and Dylan McHugh raised white flags ensuring Galway led 0-20 to 0-8 in the 47th minute.

The rest of the match was about Roscommon's drive and desire. Enda Smith's blistering run culminated in a 48th minute goal that injected the visitors with a drop of belief.

Cregg added a point before Murtagh struck a two pointer on 53. Cregg (free), Aaron Brady (45), and Dylan Ruane (two pointer) subsequently narrowed the gap down to two.

Roscommon were enjoying a productive spell with Cregg supplying a 65th minute goal. Suddenly, Roscommon were in front by the minimum.

Kelly restored parity, but Roscommon ploughed on defiantly. Substitute Ciaran Lennon struck the decisive point.

Galway had one last gasp opportunity, but Oisín MacDonnacha's goal effort was smartly saved by Brady. A pumped up Roscommon left Salthill armed with the full complement of spoils.

Scorers for Roscommon: Daire Cregg 1-7 (2fs), Diarmuid Murtagh 0-5 (1 2pt, 1f), Enda Smith 1-0, Dylan Ruane 0-2 (2pt), Ciaran Lennon and Aaron Brady (45) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Galway: Liam Ó Conghaile 0-6 (2 2pts), Rob Finnerty 0-4, Seán Kelly and Matthew Tierney (1 2pt) 0-3 each, John Maher and Shane McGrath 0-2 each, Dylan McHugh 0-1.

Roscommon: Aaron Brady; Niall Higgins, Caelim Keogh, Paddy Gavin; Senan Lambe, Ronan Daly, Eoin Ward; Keith Doyle, Conor Ryan; Dylan Ruane, Enda Smith, Darragh Heneghan; Diarmuid Murtagh, Daire Cregg, Robert Heneghan.

Subs: Paul Carey for D Heneghan (4), Colm Neary for Doyle (45), Eoin Colleran for R Heneghan (45), Ciaran Lennon for Carey (53), Jack Duggan for Ryan (58).

Galway: Eamon McGrath; Jack Glynn, Johnny McGrath, Seán Fitzgerald; Dylan McHugh, Cian Hernon, Seán Kelly; John Maher, Matthew Tierney; Shane McGrath, Ryan Roche, Céin D'Arcy; Rob Finnerty, Fionn McDonagh, Liam Ó Conghaile.

Subs: Daniel O'Flaherty for Roche (25), Charlie Power for Ó McDonagh (46), Kieran Molloy for McHugh (54), Paul Conroy for D'Arcy (58), Oisín MacDonnacha for Ó Conghaile (65).

Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).