Sammon targets win over Armagh
Allianz Hurling League Division Three
London 1-15 Roscommon 1-10
Following a disappointing start to their campaign against London at McGovern Park in Ruislip last Sunday, Roscommon hurlers will be hoping for an all-important first league win when they play Armagh at Dr Hyde Park this Sunday (1 pm).
Roscommon played well in the opening half when they more than matched the exiles, but in a disappointing second half Kevin Sammon’s men fell away and they lost by five points in the end.
Cathal Kenny, Conor Cosgrove and Conor Mulry were prominent as Roscommon matched London score for score early on. After 19 minutes it was 0-6 apiece.
London had aces in attack in Declan Devine and Sean Glynn, that duo scoring 1-9 between them. Devine’s goal late in the first half helped his side into a 1-10 to 0-9 lead at half-time.
London dominated for most of the second half and four points without reply saw them assume control. Roscommon finished with a goal from Conor Mulry and a point from Ben McGahon in the final few minutes but it wasn’t enough to affect the outcome.
Speaking to People Sport this week Roscommon manager Kevin Sammon says that he was not overly worried with the defeat against London and is looking forward to the clash against Armagh on Sunday.
“Of course we were disappointed to lose last Sunday but we felt that we have learned a good bit from that game. London are a very hard team to beat, especially on their home pitch. They are playing at a higher level in the championship (Christy Ring Cup) than we are. We have a game under our belt now and that will stand to us on Sunday next in Hyde Park”.
Was the fact that Roscommon went over 30 minutes without a score against London a concern?
“The conditions were terrible to be honest and I wouldn’t be getting too carried away about that. Scores were hard to come by for both sides. We will be trying a few different things next weekend and we are looking at new players all the time.
“We will have more or less the same panel of players for the game against Armagh and we will be hoping to get our first two points on the board. Armagh will be tough opposition but at home we will be very hopeful of a win” he concluded.
Roscommon (v London): Enda Lawless; Mark Ward, James Dillon, Darragh Finn; Brendan Mulry, Conor Cosgrove (0-1), Matthew Comerford; Cian Murray, James Hardiman; Jack McGahon, Cathal Kenny (0-1), Ben McGahon (0-4, all frees); Eoin Fitzgerald (0-1), Conor Mulry (1-3), Trevor Fallon. Subs: Jack Dowling for Comerford (23), Mickey Joe Egan for Fitzgerald (h/t), Conall Kennelly for Fallon (45), Michael Hussey for B Mulry (61), Fionn Killion for J McGahon (64).
