Ladies look to bounce back after Tyrone defeat
Roscommon Ladies footballers face a tough task on Sunday next as they face a very strong Armagh side in the second round of the Lidl Ladies National Football League at Kiltoom (throw in at 2 pm).
Armagh were the easy winners of their opening round tie against Cavan (2-8 to 0-5) while Roscommon went down by three points to Tyrone in Omagh last Sunday, 1-15 to 1-12.
Roscommon fielded no fewer than six debutants against Tyrone and manager Ollie Lennon will have been encouraged by his team’s display.
“We played well and we probably should have been ahead by half-time but overall Tyrone deserved to win it on their second half display,” he told the Roscommon People on Monday,
With Laura Fleming leading by example, Roscommon more than matched Tyrone in the opening half and four points from her and two from Aisling Hanly while another from the very impressive Aisling Feely saw the sides locked at 0-7 apiece at half-time.
But Tyrone were stronger after the break and a goal from Niamh Hughes in the 39th minute opened up a gap that was to prove decisive. Tyrone sub Maria Canavan kicked five points after her introduction and by the 52nd minute they led by 1-14 to 0-11. But Roscommon finished well. Captain Laura Fleming scored a great goal in the 59th minute and Aisling Hanly pointed in injury-time before a late point secured the win for Tyrone.
This weekend’s clash against Armagh will be a daunting task for Roscommon.
“Armagh are the strongest team in this division. They would have designs on winning the senior All-Ireland title. But in Division Two you have to play top class teams and we look forward to it. It’s a pity that the game is clashing with the men’s match but we just have to get on with it,” Lennon concluded.
Roscommon: Helena Cummins; Aine McGrath, Aisling Shanagher, Saoirse Wynne; Ellen Irwin, Rachel Fitzmaurice, Roisin Wynne; Ruth Cox, Caoimhe Cregg; Laura Flaming (1-5, 5 frees), Aoife Gavin (0-1), Millie Hagen; Aisling Hanly (0-2), Aisling Feeley (0-4, 1 free), Niamh Feeney. Sub: Amanda Creighton.
