Roscommon’s senior hurlers slumped to their second defeat in the Christy Ring Cup when they lost to Meath by 0-28 to 2-12 in Ballyforan on Saturday.
Playing against the strong wind, Roscommon had a dream start when Conor Mulry bundled home a goal in the second minute, but it proved a false dawn as the Royals had a distinct edge in terms of first touch and accurate passing. With Tom Shine accurate from the placed ball, and Mark Leavy and Lorcan Byrne impressive, they led by 0-16 to 1-4 at the break.
In fairness to Roscommon, they never threw in the towel and played their best hurling in the third quarter. Corner-back Micheál Hussey scored their second goal in the 47th minute and Conor Morris was on song with frees. But Meath were always able to get scores when they needed them.
Adam Donnelly missed a 50th-minute penalty and Roscommon needed that score to keep them in the hunt. Brian Hanley and his selectors will be happy that the defence, in which goalkeeper Enda Lawless, Jack Dowling and Tommy Morris were excellent, did not concede any goals as Meath ran out ten-point winners in the end.
The campaign does not get any easier for Roscommon as they face top-of-the-table Kerry next weekend.