Hodson Bay Hotel Group Roscommon SFC
ROSCOMMON GAELS 2-17 (2-5-7)
CLANN NA NGAEL 1-18 (1-1-16)
Kevin Egan at Kiltoom
Roscommon Gaels and Clann na nGael limped into this consequential ‘group of death’ encounter with serious question marks over their form and their confidence, and while it could be argued that Clann produced the better performance, it was Roscommon Gaels who showed championship mentality and steel to engineer what could be a transformative win for the county town club.
For 20 minutes, Clann produced a level of form far better than anything the Gaels could muster. They devoured the Roscommon Gaels kick-out, played with intensity and purpose and, even while leaving a fair few scores behind them, bounced back from the concession of an early Peter Gillooly goal to lead by 1-13 to 1-3 approaching half-time.
Ultan Harney and David McManus ruled the skies at midfield, Emmet Kenny was involved in every attack and could well have added to his three points from play, and their half-back line, led by Paddy Gavin, was the platform for many of their best attacks. Gavin added a goal for good measure when he outjumped and outfought James Featherstone to touch Josh Lennon’s high ball to the net, while behind him Michael Harrington was the star of a full-back line that looked to be in complete control of its one-on-one battles.
Ryan Dowling landed a couple of points to stop the bleeding for Declan Hoare’s troops, but as they trudged into the dressing room there were gaping wounds all over the field that needed healing.
The recovery was largely down to how the Gaels went about their business, but they’ll know too that they were facilitated by Clann falling into a visible mental slump. The decision not to withdraw Ultan Harney while he was clearly hampered by a knee injury backfired, sloppy handling errors crept into their play and they left the door open for a comeback.
None of that would have mattered if the Gaels didn’t have the wherewithal to capitalise, but Clann’s lack of attention to the garden left the seeds of the townies’ innate confidence to germinate.
Richard Walsh led the way with two majestic two-pointers, building on a dead-ball double from Rory Carthy. Rory Dunne was a revelation after coming into the fray in the half-back line and, as Clann piled mistake upon mistake, Rory Carthy’s goal gave the Gaels a shock lead.
In the immediate aftermath of his close-range score, it looked like the Gaels might have poked the Clann bear out of hibernation. Seán Kelly, with a 45, Feargal Lennon and Ciarán Lennon converted the next three points, while Oisín O’Flaherty added a touch of bite that had been sorely lacking too.
Nonetheless, Clann were still dishevelled and Roscommon Gaels could smell blood in the water. Ciarán Lennon spent most of the final quarter as a defender, albeit making two crucial tackles in his own full-back line, and close to goal they had all the threat of a declawed house cat.
Peter Gillooly underlined the contrast with a booming two-pointer from the right wing to retake the lead, and Senan Lambe duly doubled the advantage when he blocked down a Clann handpass, covered 70 metres of ground and kicked the game’s final score.
There was still time for one more moment of drama as James Featherstone claimed a high ball and Ultan Harney forced both man and ball over the line; illegally so, in Dermot Mc Lyons’ view.
Roscommon Gaels had found a way through and will bounce into their home tie against Boyle in round three, while Clann must now negotiate a local derby against a high-flying Padraig Pearses side, followed by the minefield that is the relegation play-offs. Their limping continues.
Teams and scorers
Roscommon Gaels: James Featherstone; Joey O’Malley, Ciarán O’Reilly, Jack Donnelly; Conor Grogan, John McManus, Tim Lambe; Michael Gillooly, Senan Lambe (0-1); Ryan Dowling (0-3, 0-1f), John McGuinness (0-2), Adam Killian; Peter Gillooly (1-4, 1tp), Richard Walsh (0-5, 0-1f, 2tp), Scott Oates.
Subs used: Rory Dunne for Grogan (28), Rory Carthy (1-2, 1tpf) for Oates (half-time), William O’Doherty for Killian (51).
Clann na nGael: Seán Kelly (0-1, 45); Michael Harrington, Darra Pettit (0-1), Tom Lennon; Feargal Lennon (0-1), Paddy Gavin (1-0), David Connaughton; Ultan Harney (0-2), Alan McManus (0-1); Ciarán Lennon (0-5, 0-2f, 1tpf), David McManus (0-1), Emmet Kenny (0-3); Josh Lennon (0-2), Graham Pettit (0-1), Paul McManus.
Subs used: Tom Sheehan for P. McManus (41), Oisín O’Flaherty for G. Pettit (47), Feargus Lennon for J. Lennon (51), Shane Gavin for Connaughton (51).
Referee: Dermot Mc Lyons (Castlerea St Kevin’s)
Stat Attack
Wides: Roscommon Gaels 3; Clann na nGael 6.
Red cards: 0
Black cards: 0
Yellow cards: 0
Man of the Match: Peter Gillooly
