Allianz Hurling League Div 3A Roscommon 1-12, Monaghan 0-10.

Missed chances again proved costly as Monaghan slipped to a second consecutive defeat in their division 3A campaign and as a result their participation in the play-offs took something of a setback at the end of this, tough, hard hitting contest in Athleague today, Sunday 21st February. Monaghan made three changes from the team that started against Tyrone with Brendan Connor, Steven Forde and Aidan Kerr coming in. Roscommon made two changes from the team that started against Louth, Aidan Murphy in for Jamie Lawlor and Ronan O’Meara coming in for Liam Kilcline. Conditions on the day were far from ideal with rain falling almost throughout the game, driven by a strong wind and that combination made life very difficult for the players and led to numerous mistakes by both sides went what was overall a scrappy, error riddled affair. Monaghan at the benefit of the elements in the first half but did not capitalise on whatever advantage that gave them on all Roscommon with the aid of the elements in the second-half also struggled and it wasn’t until the latter stages that they edged in front.

At the end of a scrappy first half Roscommon led by 1-2 to 0-3, the goal by Adrian Murphy in the 25th minute, somewhat against the run of play, after Monaghan had dominated the possession stakes and chances created, but poor finishing robbed them of numerous chances from play and frees and by the break they had amassed a total of 10 wides while Roscommon who were playing into the teeth of the gale had registered 6. In the second-half Monaghan battled bravely and kept in touch mostly through the free taking of Niall Garland who registered five from placed balls but any time Monaghan threatened to close the gap Roscommon always seemed to be able to respond as they capitalise that bit better on broken play in that vital middle third. Four points separated the sides going into the final five minutes with Niall Garland pulling one back from a free but Roscommon closed it out with two points in stoppage time to leave five between them at the finish.

Teams and Scorers: Roscommon: Noel Fallon, Alan Moore, Peter Kellehan, Ciaran Shaw, Shane Curley, Michael Kelly 0-1 (f), Warren Boyle, Eamonn Flanagan 0-1, Cathal Dolan, John Moran, Jason Kilkenny 0-1, Jerry Fallon 0-2, Adrian Murphy 1-0, Ronan O’Meara 0-3, Cillian Egan 0-4. Subs: Jamie Lawlor for J Moran.

Monaghan: Monaghan: Kieran Hanniffy, Brian Flanagan, Patrick Finnegan, Brendan Connor, Stephen Forde, Peter Treanor, Conor McKenna, Deaglan Crowe, Conor Boyle, Fergal Rafter 0-1, Mark Treanor 0-1, Brian McGuigan, Niall Garland 0-5 (5f), Stephen Lambe 0-3 (2f), Aidan Kerr. Subs: Shane McNally for P Finnegan, Ger Ruddy for B Connor, Ronan Curran for D Crowe, Eoin Leonard for S Forde.                              Referee: Kevin Brady (Louth).