Allianz Hurling League Division Three
Wicklow 4-19 Roscommon 2-13
A 12-point margin of defeat was very harsh on Roscommon as the home side maintained their unbeaten run in this Division Three game which was switched from Aughrim to Bray last Sunday.
In fact Roscommon actually led the match by a point with 20 minutes to go, but a late scoring burst from the home side yielded no less than three goals in injury-time. It meant that the final score was very unfair on Roscommon who had played well for most of the game.
Pádraig Doyle was the goalscorer for the home side in the opening half as they led by 1-12 to 0-7 at half-time having played with the elements.
Cian Murray, Brendan Mulry and Robbie Fallon were doing well for the visitors who were well in touch at the midway point.
Roscommon staged a superb comeback in the third quarter. Goals from Jack Dowling and Cian Murray helped Kevin Sammon’s charges into a one-point lead after 50 minutes.
The home side rallied and four points from Davy Maloney were crucial as they edged three ahead going into time added on. But late goals from Padraig Doyle (2) and sub Torna Mulconry gave the Garden County a handsome lead that flattered them at the final whistle.
This weekend Roscommon face Mayo in Tooreen, and Roscommon manager Kevin Sammon is looking forward to that clash on Sunday (2 pm).
Sammon told People Sport this week that last Sunday’s margin of defeat was unfair on Roscommon but that he is very happy with the progress of the side.
“I thought that we coped very well with everything last weekend, the late change of venue, etc and we played very well. We led in the middle of the second half and they scored three goals in stoppage time so we had done well for most of the game.
“The two games we have lost so far were against teams that are competing in the Christy Ring Cup. The three league games that we have left are all against teams from our own level so we will be hoping to do well in those now.”
Mayo on Sunday in Tooreen is a local derby to look forward to, he says.
“There is never much between Roscommon and Mayo and we will be going down there looking for a win. We are still trying different players and combinations and the aim is to have a settled team when it comes to the championship. We want to do well this weekend and we are looking forward to the meeting with Mayo” he concluded.
Roscommon: Enda Lawless; Ryan Conlon, James Dillon, Jimmy Hoey; Brendan Mulry (0-1), Conor Cosgrove, Michael Hussey; Darragh Finn, Jack Dowling (1-3); Connell Kennelly (0-1), Fionn Killion, Cian Murray (1-3); Cathal Kenny, Robbie Fallon (0-3, frees), Conor Mulry (0-1). Subs: Ben McGahon (0-1) for Killion, Adam Donnelly for Kenny (62), Eoin Fitzgerald for Conlon (66).
