Roscommon made a winning start to the Allianz Football League with a 3-21 to 1-20 win against Down under the new playing rules at a wintry King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park on Sunday. The Mournemen had the aid of the strong breeze in the opening half and their ability to kick two-point scores was key in that opening period as they managed six in all. That prowess on two-pointers was worth a total of 12 points out of their first half haul of 1-14, their goal coming in the 20th minute from Ryan McEvoy. Roscommon managed 2-6, the goals coming from Enda Smith in the second minute and Cian McKeon in the 26th minute.
Roscommon were much sharper in the second half and the introduction of subs Ciarain Murtagh and Ben O’Carroll added much energy and punch into the home side’s attack. The key score came in the 57th minute when Down goalkeeper John O’Hare was dispossessed out the field and Ciarain Murtagh scored a brilliant goal from all of 45 metres out, into an empty net. Points after that from Diarmuid Murtagh (4) and Donie Smith secured a seven-point win for Roscommon who travel to Ardee to face Louth in round two next Sunday.
