Monaghan 0-16 Roscommon 1-13
When the dust has settled on this fine Division 3a hurling encounter in Parc Gratten Inniskeen, either side could claim they should have won it, but perhaps the draw was the fairest result, after an absorbing contest had the small but vocal crowd on the edge of their seats right to the final whistle from referee James Clarke.
Indeed when the long whistle went their was stunned silence for a few seconds and then frustration that the contest had been brought to an end when it looked like both sides wanted to play away.
Monaghan certainly had the brighter of the opening 35 minutes going in 10 points to 7 up, 8 of those from open play, Mark Treanor giving an exhibition from the centre of the field however Roscommon had Daniel Glynn to thank for keeping them in touch his four points 3 from frees in the first half perhaps leaving the half time talk that little bit easier.
The Rossies needed a goal and got it 3 minutes into the 2nd half, Kerrill Hardimans direct ball in from the centre of the field found Eamonn Flanagan in behind the Monaghan defence and with the Roscommon side line shouting on him to “pull on it”, he duly did that finishing underneath Patrick Bermingham to bring them within a point before Daniel Glynn who finished with a personal tally of 9 points 8 from frees brought the sides level.
Fergal Rafter and Mark Treanor did open it up to a 2 point lead again for Monaghan by the 12th minute of the 2nd half, but Glynn was immense from every angle and distance on the field his 3 in row giving the visitors the lead for the first time.
When Naos Connaughton was shown a straight red card with 10 minutes remaining it looked as if it would be Monaghans opportunity to move on, but with neither side giving an inch it was point for point right to the end with Roscommon perhaps the more aggrieved as James Clarke sounded the final whistle just as the forwards pounced on a poor puck out from goal keeper Patrick Bermingham.
Monaghan :– Patrick Bermingham, Jamie Guinan, Kevin Crawley, Brian Flanagan, Niall Garland, Patrick Finnegan, Martin Murphy, Mark Treanor (0-04), Peter Treanor (0-01), Fergal Rafter (0-06 5F) Aaron Kenny (0-02), Conor Flynn (0-01), Conor Boyle, Cathal Power, Brian Mc Guigan(0-02) Subs used :– Monaghan – Cormac Mc Nally for Conor Boyle, Bernard Connor for Brian Flanagan, Pearse Mc Kenna for Cathal Power.
Roscommon :-Joe Keane, Alan Moore, Peter Kellehan, Michael Bernie, Shane Curley (0-01) Paul Kenny, Warren Boyle, Kerrill Hardiman (0-01), Cormac Kelly, Daniel Glynn (0-09 8F), Eamonn Flanagan (1-00), Gearoid O Ciannain, Robbie Fallon, Naos Connaughton, Cillian Egan (0-02) Subs used– Darragh Heavey for Cormac Kelly, John Murray for Robbie Fallon, Joe Brennan for Eamonn Flanagan
