Roscommon Town see red

Roscommon Town …….. 2  Lisnamult Celtic ………… 3 Going into this game, Pat Mullen’s Town side were the form team, while Celtic had dropped off the pace over the last two games. Town went into this game on the back of two good league results and had a good win in the cup, out-playing Cloonfad United. It a different story for Celtic who went down to league leaders Loughglynn United seven nil in their last league game, to drop out of the title race and also went down to Moore United B in the cup. This game was a true derby match, with tackles flying in right from the start. On seventeen minutes, Dida picked up a Lisnamult corner to give Celtic the lead. Celtic was much the better side and was playing all the football. Celtic’s Max had a great chance to add to the score, but shot just wide. Then Celtic’s Dida picked up the ball after a slip from the Town’s fullback to put them in the driving seat. On thirty-five minutes Town won a free kick on the right hand side and up stepped John McHale to strike a shot which beat the Lisnamult keeper and put the Town right back into the game. McHale struck again to level the game with a great strike and sent the sides in level at half time. Celtic started the second half at a very slow pace, which allowed the Town back into the game. However, Lisnamult star Edimielson was on hand to score from a low cross to give the Celtic the lead. Later, Celtic got a let off when Town’s Frankie Noone shot just wide of the goal. In the dying minute Town had a penalty claim turned down by referee Eugene Deering, which led to ugly scenes and resulted in two Town players being sent off. I can see why referees are in short supply. What right minded man would give up a Sunday morning to put up with this verbal abuse from players who should know better? Referees are only human and will make mistake, but is it the end of the world if he’s wrong? At best it’s a cowardly practice which is coming into the game at all levels. Can any league afford the luxury of losing one referee through abuse of any nature? It shouldn’t and cannot be tolerated.