Allianz Football League Division Two
Roscommon 2-21 Cork 0-13
After a miserable day in Navan six days previously, Roscommon footballers put their promotion bid firmly back on track with an impressive and comprehensive win against Cork at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night last.
A tentative enough first-half display from Davy Burke’s men was followed by a superb second-half performance as Roscommon were razor-sharp up front, looking dangerous whenever they were on the attack. Ben O’Carroll was back in the starting line-up and he looked back to his best, scoring 1-3. Meanwhile, Conor Hand continues to enhance his reputation.
Enda Smith was once again commanding around the middle of the field while Diarmuid Murtagh was unerring from the placed ball and Shane Cunnane turned in a fine display all through. It was also good to see Niall Daly back on the field (as a late sub). He weighed in with his customary long-range point in the final seconds.
In contrast, Cork were very wasteful and although they had plenty of possession they missed many chances over the course of the match. Their total of 13 wides to Roscommon’s three tells its own tale. In truth they were well beaten in the end.
Páirc Uí Chaoimh is a magnificent venue. After the drama of the Cork/Kilkenny hurling match that was on beforehand there was a low-key start to this game. Cork were competitive in the opening quarter and by the 16th minute they led by 0-5 to 0-3. Those scores for the home side came from Mark Cronin with four points (one two-pointer) and Conor O’Mahony.
A Robbie Dolan score, a cracking point from Ben O’Carroll, and a converted ’45 from Conor Hand kept Roscommon ticking over before the visitors had a purple patch, scoring six points with reply. A mark from the excellent Shane Cunnane, four points from Diarmuid Murtagh frees (one two-pointer) and another smart point from Ben O’Carroll saw Roscommon lead by 0-9 to 0-5 after 29 minutes.
Diarmuid Murtagh (free) and Mark Cronin exchanged two-pointers, and when Conor Hand pointed in the final seconds it meant Roscommon were ahead by 0-12 to 0-8 at half-time.
Roscommon were much more assured and clinical in the second half. Points from Ultan Harney, a two-pointer from the lively Conor Hand, and another Ben O’Carroll score helped them into a 0-16 to 0-11 lead by the 43rd minute.
In the 48th minute Ciarán Lennon was tripped in the Cork penalty area and Enda Smith converted the resultant penalty and now Roscommon were eight points to the good. Another excellent two-pointer from play from Hand extended the lead in the 54th minute, and the two league points were in the bag at that stage.
Cork did have plenty of possession but they missed chance after chance. Indeed they hit the crossbar twice late on. Sub Sean Powter’s shot went over after hitting the woodwork in the 58th minute while Brian O’Driscoll’s effort struck the crossbar and went out wide in the 65th minute.
Roscommon punished those misses ruthlessly. In the 64th minute Rory Maguire attempted to pass the ball back to his goalkeeper (not allowed under the new rules) and when the ball was pinched by Ben O’Carroll he made no mistake from close-range for Roscommon’s second goal.
There was a welcome sight late on as Niall Daly returned to action from the bench and the last play of the game saw the Padraig Pearses man shoot over from long-range (he was denied a two-pointer as Cork goalkeeper Doyle got a hand to the ball as it headed over).
This was a very satisfying win for Roscommon who now face Cavan at home and Westmeath away in their final two league games. A win in one of those fixtures should guarantee promotion and a place in the Division Two final.
Putting up a big score again will have pleased manager Davy Burke and his selectors and with the likes of Brian Stack, Conor Daly and Eddie Nolan still to return, the squad is taking shape ahead of the championship which is now only a few weeks away.
Note: This was the first time I had been to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh since it was refurbished. It is a superb venue with excellent facilities for supporters and the media alike.
Teams & scorers
Scoring key: tp = two-pointer from play; tpf = two-point free
Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Pearse Frost, John McManus, Niall Higgins; Shane Cunnane (0-1, mark), David Murray, Robbie Dolan (0-1); Enda Smith (1-0, pen), Keith Doyle; Ben O’Carroll (1-3), Ultan Harney (0-1), Conor Hand (0-6, 1 tp, 1 ‘45); Diarmuid Murtagh (0-7, 2 tpf, 2 frees), Cian McKeon, Ciarán Lennon. Subs: Ciaráin Murtagh (0-1, free) for McKeon (35); Ronan Daly for McManus (46), Eddie Nolan for Harney (52), Niall Daly (0-1) for Dolan (67).
Cork: Patrick Doyle; Sean Brady, Daniel O’Mahony, Neil Lordan; Brian O’Driscoll, Rory Maguire, Mattie Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan (0-1, free); Paul Walsh (0-1), Tommy Walsh (0-1); Sean McDonnell; Mark Cronin (0-8, I tpf, 1tp, 3 frees, 1 mark), Chris Og Jones, Cathal O’Mahony (0-1). Subs: Sean Powter (0-1) for Walsh (43), Ruairi Deane for O’Mahony (45), Sean Walsh for McDonnell (59), Conor Cahalane for Paul Walsh (60), Hugh O’Connor for Chris Og Jones (68).
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).
Stat Attack
Wides: Roscommon 3 (2, first half); Cork 13 (4, first half)
Red cards: 0
Black cards: 0
Yellow cards: Roscommon 1 (John McManus); Cork 0
Attendance: 5,000 (approx)
Man of the Match: Enda Smith (Roscommon)
