Christy Ring Cup
Wicklow 3-12 Roscommon 1-11
Roscommon hurlers’ Christy Ring Cup status is hanging by a thread after this defeat against Wicklow at Echelon Park Aughrim last Saturday. Having finished bottom of the group, only New York winning the Nicky Rackard Cup competition will save Roscommon from relegation.
Three late goals for Wicklow were decisive in the end last Saturday, with the home side just about the better team overall.
It was a low-key match played in poor conditions. There was precious little between the teams in the opening half. Jack Donnelly, Seán Canning, Eamon Mulry, Cian Murray, Tommy Morris and Paddy Fallon (2) were all on target for Brian Hanley’s men in that opening half. Both sides shot a lot of wides, with the scores level at half-time on 0-7 apiece.
After the break the teams shared just four points in the opening 20 minutes. A Tommy Morris point and a Cian Bowes free were the Roscommon scores.
Wicklow’s greater goal threat materialised in the final quarter. In the 58th minute Seanie Germaine finished to the Roscommon net for their opening three-pointer. In fairness to Roscommon, they replied with two points, another Bowes free and one from play from Seán Canning.
Fionn Darcy scored Wicklow’s second goal in the 63rd minute and less than a minute later it was game over when Jack Doyle netted goal number three.
With 90 seconds left on the clock, Adam Donnelly drove a 20-metre free to the Wicklow net, but that late goal was of consolation value only for Roscommon.
After a couple of good performances in recent weeks, this defeat brought the curtain down on a disappointing season for Roscommon. Brian Hanley’s team failed to get promoted in the league and as for their Ring Cup status, they will now be hoping that New York can do them a huge favour by winning the Rackard Cup.
Wicklow: Conor McNally; Conall Byrne, Andrew Kavanagh, Brian Kearney; Sam O’Dowd, John Henderson, Padraig Doran; Brandon Ryan (0-1), Luke Evans; Tommy Collins (0-2), Seanie Germaine (1-1), Ken Cullen; Jack Doyle (1-2), Pádraig Doyle (0-4, 3 frees), Fionn Darcy (1-1). Subs: Jack Phelan for Evans (33), Ian Clancy for Dowd (58), Willie Cash (0-1) for Ryan (60), Ruairi O’Brien for Byrne (64), Conall Byrne for Germaine (65).
Roscommon: Enda Lawless; Micheál Hussey, James Dillon, Jack Dowling; Darragh Finn, Adam Donnelly (1-0, free), Keelan Ryan; Cian Bowes (0-2, frees), Paddy Fallon (0-2, 1 free); James Donnelly (0-1), Seán Canning (0-2), Cian Murray (0-1); Tommy Morris (0-2), Conor Mulry, Eamon Mulry (0-1). Subs: Jason Martin for Dowling (h/t), Ronan Finn for Fallon (47), Conor Morris for Canning (60), Brian Mannion for Bowes (63), Liam Óg Coyle, for J Donnelly (69).
Referee: Matthew Redmond (Kildare).
