Shell-shocked Down find the going tough

Shell-shocked Down find the going tough

29 April 2015

BRENDAN McArdle’s controversial sending off before half-time was the main topic for post mortems as Roscommon deservedly collected the National League  Division 2 title at Croke Park.

McArdle’s second booking severely dented his side’s hopes and left them with just too much to do in the second half.

The absence from the starting line-up of Mark Poland had the Mourne County reeling early on as the Longstone playmaker got injured in the warm-up.

Nevertheless, Down battled on and captain Conor Laverty had them one ahead in the opening exchanges.

Roscommon soon found their rhythm and established a 0-03 to 0-01 lead. Cathal Cregg, Ciaran Murtagh and Cian Connolly were the score getters.

Down were playing very defensively at this stage whilst operating a two-man full forward line.

However, the players didn’t look overly comfortable with their set up and it was a less than convincing period of play.

Despite this, Donal O’Hare slotted over a free before Annclone’s McArdle levelled the affair.

A period of poor play from both teams ensued as the crowd got restless with the lack of scores.

It took the dangerous Senan Kilbride to spark the contest to life again as Roscommon moved one clear.

The points started to flow with Maginn, Mooney and O’Hare all converting, but Roscommon had a reply to everything as the game drew a stalemate at 0-7 apiece at the interval.

The absence of McArdle in the second period was sorely felt as John Evans’ men went hell for leather in the first five minutes. Four minors drifted over the bar as Down were left shell-shocked.

A few tactical changes from the sideline saw the Red and Black regroup with Peter Fitzpatrick, Kevin McKernan and Donal O’Hare all bringing the game back to the minimum.

The tricky Kilbride put two in it again and by this stage Down had dumped their over defensive style of play and went for a more attacking approach.

Roscommon  brought some reinforcements in from the bench and Diarmuid Murtagh and Donie Shine all contributed to the scoreboard.

Down’s shooting at this stage started to go awry and they looked to tire across the pitch.

With nine minutes to go Ciaran Murtagh sent the ball to the Ulstermen’s net as Roscommon coasted to victory and the much desired silverware. 

Down just didn’t have enough in their tank to compensate for Roscommon’s numerical advantage in the second half and the Westerners had enough savvy to see the game out in a professional manner.

It’s Celtic Park and a meeting with Derry in the Ulster SFC that Jim McCorry and his troops must now focus on.

Down: S Kane, G Collins, A Carr, L Howard, D O’Hagan, B McArdle (0-1), C McGovern, P Turley, C Mooney (0-1), C Maginn (0-1), K McKernan (0-2), D O’Hanlon, P Devlin (0-1, f), C Laverty (0-1), D O’Hare (0-5, 3f). Subs: P Fitzpatrick (0-1) for Turley (h-t), R Johnston (0-1) for Devlin (46), N Madine for Carr (59), A McConville for Maginn (63), J Johnston (0-1, f) for McKernan (66), R Boyle for Collins (69).

Roscommon: D O’Malley, D Murray, N Carty, N Collins, C Daly, N Daly, C Cafferky (0-1), K Higgins, C Shine, D Smith (0-1), C Murtagh (1-2, 0-1f), R Stack, C Connolly (0-5, 4f), S Kilbride (0-4), C Cregg (0-1). Subs: D Murtagh (0-1) for Smith (h-t), U Harney (0-1) for Cregg (46), B Murtagh for Murray (BC, 52), D Shine (0-1, f) for Connolly (54), C Compton for C Murtagh (61), I Kilbride for Higgins (66).

Roscommon 1-17

Down 0-15

NFL DIVISION 2 FINAL