Christy Ring Cup Round 3
Roscommon 1-17
Mayo 0-11
Roscommon senior hurlers produced their best display in at least two years last Saturday in Athleague to easily dismiss the challenge of a surprisingly poor Mayo side thus preserving their status in the Christy Ring Cup for 2019. After losses to Kildare and Wicklow it was some transformation for Ciaran Comerford’s men who were dominant from the opening exchanges.
Mayo’s case was certainly not helped by the loss through injury of their top scorer Kenny Feeney after 15 minutes, and the sending off of their midfielder Kieran McDermott as the ball was thrown in to commence the second half, but that’s taking nothing away from Roscommon who looked sharp throughout.
On a warm day, Roscommon were quicker to every ball from the first whistle. They led by 0-5 to 0-1 after 22 minutes with goalkeeper Joe Keane scoring two long-range frees and Cathal Kenny helping himself to two from play.
By the 35th minute the home side led by 0-9 to 0-3 before the victory was almost assured in first half injury-time. There were 8 minutes of added time because of the delay due to the injury to Kenny Feeney. In the 40th minute Daniel Glynn’s free from 45 metres out near the sideline flew all the way into the Mayo net, and two minutes later Cillian Egan scored a fine point to leave the score at the break Roscommon 1-10 Mayo 0-3.
Despite the efforts of football All-Star Keith Higgins, Mayo were always struggling and were in even more trouble when midfielder McDermott was sent off at the throw-in for the second half for a high pull. By the 53rd minute Roscommon led by 1-15 to 0-5 with goalkeeper Joe Keane having scored his 5th free of the day.
In the 61st minute Micheal Beirne was sent off for a second yellow card offence but at that stage Roscommon were home and hosed, and in injury-time sub Robbie Fallon also saw red for an off the ball incident.
But none of that would take away from an excellent performance from Roscommon and those of us who were in Newbridge a few weeks ago and witnessed a twenty-six point hammering at the hands of Kildare could never have believed that this transformation was possible.
Best for Roscommon on the day were Joe Keane, Alan Moore, Kerrill Hardiman, Shane Curley, Cathal Kenny and Naos Connaughton. Hopefully Roscommon can kick on from this and build for the future. It’s a pity that it will be next January before the team play again on the back of this performance.
Roscommon: Joe Keane (0-5, all frees); Kerrill Hardiman, Alan Moore, Jason Kilkenny; Eamon Flanagan, Micheal Beirne, Pat Nolan; Darragh Heavey, Shane Curley (0-1, s/l cut); Daniel Glynn (1-3, all frees), Cillian Egan (0-1), Paul Kenny; Hugh Rooney (0-1), Naos Connaughton (0-1), Cathal Kenny (0-3). Subs: Robbie Fallon (0-2) for Heavey (32), Cormac Kenny for Glynn (49), Warren Boyle for Egan (57), John Murray for C Kenny (68), Ronan Kilcline for Flanagan (69).
Mayo: Donal O’Brien; Brian Hunt, Conor Daly, Sean Mulroy; Michael Morley, David Kenny, Conor Henry; Kieran McDermott, Donal McGreal; Brian Morley (0-1), Kenny Feeney (0-1, free), Sean Kenny; Shane Boland (0-5, all frees), Keith Higgins (0-2, 1 free), Eanna Ryan. Subs: Bobby Douglas for Feeney (15), Cathal Freeman (0-2) for Henry (h/t), Corey Scahill for Kenny (h/t), Padraig O’Flynn for Scahill (54), Conor Murray for McGreal (61).
Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin)
