Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship Roscommon Gaels 3 10 Four Roads 1 8 History was made in the third game in Athleague last Sunday when Roscommon Gaels defeated Four Roads in the championship for the first time in 36 years. The Gaels played with the aid of the very strong breeze in the first half and they struck for two vital goals through full-forward Henry Flanagan in the 11th and 19th minutes and at half-time The Gaels led by 2-6 to 0-3 at half-time. The expected Four Roads comeback never materialised in the second half and although Michael Kelly grabbed a goal from a free in the 42nd minute the Gaels defended stoutly with Kenny Doolin John Maloney and Eoin Browne outstanding and they were the deserved winners at the end. Gary Waldron completed a great day for the town team when he crashed home a third Gaels goal in the 55th minute. Roscommon Gaels: J. Comiskey D. Clogher J. Maloney P. Nolan K. Doolin E. Browne J. Hynes D. Waldron S. Naughton K. Gately (0-2 frees) C. O’Brien (0-3) L. Casey G. Waldron (1-2) H. Flanagan (2-1) P. Lennon (0-2). Four Roads: S. Lohan; J. McDonnell, M. Mulry, N. Cunniffe (0-1); M. McLoughlin, M. Kelly (1 goal, one free), P. Kelly; L. Gately, B. Kelly; K. Waldron, D. Lohan (0-1), E. Rogerson (0-3); J. Mannion, C. Hynes (0-1), J Coyne. Subs: M. Glennon, for McDonnell, J. Moran for Gately, B. Mannion for J. Mannion. Referee: Anthony Flaherty. Athleague 2-12 Oran 3 -9 Athleague showed their battling qualities when they came from a long way back to secure a draw against Oran in this very competitive game played in windy conditions. Despite playing with the elements in the first half Athleague were matched by a very determined Oran who were only four points behind at the break. Athleague’s first goal came in the 16th minute when Tom Reddington pulled first time to grab an excellent goal for the champions – however only three minues later Michael Dwyer grabbed an Oran goal and at half-time it was 1-6 to 1-2 for Athleague. Reddington scored his second goal shortly after the half-time break. However Oran were proving hard to shake off and Andrew Hannon grabbed their second goal three minutes later. Oran then drew level and although it was now nip and tuck between the two, Oran looked to have secured the win when Terry Crowley hooked home a goal in the final minute but Joe Fallon kept his head to equalise in injury-time. Athleague: D. Connell; D. Delaney, C. Moran, S. Moore; J. Glennon, N. Connolly, A. Cunniffe; M. Connaughton, (0-9, 2 sideline, 6 frees) J. Connolly; S. McGeeney, J. Fallon (0-2), I. Connaughton; T. Connaughton T. Reddington (2-1) D. Flaherty. Subs: D. McGeeney for T. Connaughton, E. Murray for I Connaughton. Oran: E. Featherstone; J. Carthy, S. Lawless, J. Crehan; D. Varley, C. McMahon, K. Carty; G. Fallon (0-6, 3 frees), A. Hannon (1-0); T. Crowley (1-0), F. Quine, K. McDermott; M. Dwyer (1-1), D. Beirne, J. Lawless. Subs: B. Flynn (0-1) for Lawless, R. Farrell (0-1) for Beirne, D. Carty for Hannon. Referee: M. Mannion. St. Dominics 1-13 Tremane 1-8 St Dominics grabbed their first win of the championship against Tremane in this low-key opener last Sunday. Tremane made a very solid start and led by four points early on but Dominics got their act together and they won comfortably in the end. Dominics’ first goal came 8 minutes into the second half when Daniel Beirne grabbed a vital score and although Tremane came to within a point in the 51st minute when Adrian Coyne goaled from a free, Dominics finished strongly with points from Liam Murray, Daniel Beirne and Peter Keogh. St. Dominics: M. Miley; J. Heffernan, D. Fallon, N. Moran; A. Naughton, A. Craven, C. Hunt; M. Beirne, P. Keogh (0-2); D. Naughton, P. Naughton (0-1), L. Murray (0-7, 5 frees); D. Beirne (1-2) P. O’Connor (0-1) M. Brehony. Sub: C. Fallon for Hunt. Tremane: D. Daly; M. Melia, B. Haughey, M. Lynch; C. Melia, M. Healy (0-2), J. Blighe; A. Kelly, F. Carr (0-1); B. Keenan, S. Healy, S. Melia; P. Lynch (0-1); A Coyne (1-4, 1-2 frees), A. Purcell. Subs: C. Keane for Blighe, S. Conneally for Healy. Referee: Brendan McDermott. This weekend’s fixtures Roscommon Gaels v St. Dominics (Saturday in Athleague at 6.15 pm) Both sides have one win and one loss so this is a vital game. The Gaels were very impressive against Four Roads while Dominics were solid rather than spectacular against Tremane. Hard to separate them. Prediction: Roscommon Gaels. Athleague v Padraig Pearses (Saturday in Athleague at 7.30 pm) Pearses make their long-awaited debut in the competition. Athleague are unbeaten with one win and a draw already. Pearses are an unknown quantity this year and I fancy them as the dark horses. Athleague’s match practice may stand to them though. Prediction: Athleague. Oran v Tremane (Athleague on Sunday at 2 pm) Tremane have improved this year -however it will be a big ask for them to beat Oran who looked very sharp against Athleague last Sunday. Prediction: Oran.
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