Allianz Hurling League Division Three
Roscommon 2-15 Wicklow 1-16
A goal from a free from Adam Donnelly in injury-time gave Roscommon hurlers a dramatic winning start to their National League campaign at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park on Sunday last.
It was a good win for new manager Brian Hanley and his players but there is plenty to work on after a very poor start that saw Roscommon trail by 1-6 to 0-1 after 19 minutes.
However, a good final ten minutes of the opening half saw the Rossies go in only two behind at the break, 1-7 to 0-8. Seanie Germaine was the Wicklow goalscorer in the 19th minute. But with Conor Mulry impressive up front, seven Roscommon points saw them back in the game by the change of ends.
The second half was very well contested but Roscommon looked like they were in bother when Cappataggle clubman Cian Bowes, who was making his Roscommon debut, was given a red card for a high tackle in the 49th minute.
Conor Mulry, Tommy Morris, Conor Morris and Adam Donnelly were performing well for Roscommon. Still, Wicklow were three points ahead when Liam Óg Coyle scored an opportunist Roscommon goal with eight minutes to go to level the scores at 1-13 apiece.
Wicklow edged two points ahead in injury-time but when Roscommon were awarded a 20-metre free in the second minute of time added on Adam Donnelly stepped up to drive the ball to the net for a dramatic goal to put his side ahead by a point. Conor Morris then set seal on a super win with a fine point in what was the second last puck of the match.
Best for Roscommon on the day were the aforementioned Conor Mulry, Adam Donnelly, Conor Morris, Darragh Finn and Keelan Ryan.
Roscommon travel to face Armagh in their next league game on Saturday, February 7th.
Roscommon: Enda Lawless; Eamon Mulry, James Dillon, Jack Dowling; Keelan Ryan, Tommy Morris, Darragh Finn; Conor Morris (0-7, 5 frees), Cian Bowes (0-1); Cian Murray, Eoin Kiernan (0-1), Niall Fleming; Conor Mulry (0-5), Adam Donnelly (1-0, free), Ronan Finn. Subs: Paddy Fallon (0-1) for R Finn (33), D Staunton for Dowling (h/t), Liam Óg Coyle (1-0) for Fleming (h/t), Ethan Connaughton for Mulry (38).
