Roscommon too strong for Down in Newry

Allianz Football League Division Two

Content credit; GAA.ie

Roscommon 1-18 Down 0-10

By Dan Bannon at Páirc Esler

Roscommon firmly grasped the two points on offer with an emphatic victory in Newry with a powerful display against hosts Down, who are yet to record a win.

An electric run Andrew Gilmore gave the home support something to cheer about right from the throw in.

On course for goal, the St. John’s corner man had to be bundled over. Pat Havern tapped over the free and not to be deterred, Gilmore quickly scored the next point.

With that, Roscommon sized up their surroundings and opposition and soon got to the pitch of the game.

Cathal Heneghan went on a run himself but was taken down for a penalty. Enda Smith dutifully dispatched and visitors took huge stock from that early confidence booster.

Barry O’Hagan was impressive on the transition for Down and it proved a reliable source of attack for James McCartan’s side. Liam Kerr and Caolan Mooney used their pace to clip over points to keep in touch.

With a more direct approach Roscommon looked to Conor Cox inside and he didn’t disappoint.

With four points in the first half Cox really punished Down and linked up excellently with Donie Smith. The pair combined for seven first half points.

Not to be outdone by his other two forwards, Cian McKeon kicked two wonderful scores to deservedly give Roscommon a 1-10 to 0-5 at half time lead.

The second half began in the same fashion as the first, with Havern and Gilmore landing points but Roscommon upped the ante once more to go on another scoring run.

Enda Smith’s deep run the pick of the scores. The Boyle man’s pace and power highlighted the gulf between the two sides.

Both managers introduced subs to the contest and two of them got on the scoresheet for Down. Tiarnan Rushe and Cory Quinn provided the scoreline with some gloss with late points as Roscommon sealed the deal.

Scorers for Roscommon: Conor Cox 0-5 (2f, 1m), Enda Smith 1-1 (1-0 pen), Donie Smith 0-4 (2f), Cian McKeon 0-2, Eddie Nolan 0-1, Richard Hughes 0-1, Cathal Heneghan 0-1, Ciaran Sugrue 0-1, Ultan Harney 0-1, Ciarán Murtagh 0-1.

Scorers for Down: Pat Havern 0-4 (2f), Andrew Gilmore 0-2 (1f), Cory Quinn, Tiarnan Rushe, Liam Kerr and Caolan Mooney 0-1 each.

Roscommon: Colm Lavin; Richard Hughes, Eoin McCormack, Brian Stack; Ronan Daly, Niall Daly, Niall Kilroy; Ultan Harney, Eddie Nolan; Cathal Heneghan, Enda Smith, Ciarán Murtagh; Cian McKeon, Donie Smith, Conor Cox.

Subs: Dylan Ruane for Kilroy (45), Diarmuid Murtagh for D Smith (57), Ciaran Sugrue for Heneghan (57), Keith Doyle for C Murtagh (59), Daire Keenan for Harney (64).

Down: Gary McMahon; Peter Fegan, Finn McElroy, Gerard Collins; Darren O’Hagan, Niall McParland, Pierce Laverty; Anthony Doherty, Odhran Murdock; Conor Poland, Liam Kerr, Caolan Mooney; Andrew Gilmore, Pat Havern, Kevin McKernan.

Subs: Daniel Guinness for Laverty (ht), Ceilum Doherty for Mooney (45), Tiarnan Rushe for McKernan (45), Cory Quinn for Gilmore (54) Ruairí McCormack for O’Hagan (57).

Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).