Allianz National Football League Division One
Roscommon 1-12 Monaghan 0-13 3/2/19
Monaghan missed out on back-to-back wins to start their NFL campaign when a strong finish from Roscommon saw the hosts claim the two points on offer at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday.
Another sluggish start from Monaghan saw Roscommon build up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead and they were full value for their two-point (0-6 to 0-4) half-time cushion, with the visitors needing a fine save from Rory Beggan to deny roving corner-back Evan McGrath and keep his side in touch. The introduction of Conor McManus inspired a much brighter start to the second half from Monaghan, with scores from the half-time sub and the likes of Conor McCarthy, Dessie Ward and Fintan Kelly moving them ahead. Roscommon responded with three unanswered points, however, and even after McManus and Dermot Malone had regained the lead for Monaghan, the hosts won a penalty that was coolly converted by Enda Smith. Frees by McManus and Jack McCarron levelled it up inside added time, but there was still time for a fifth Conor Cox free and a fisted point from Ronan Daly to secure the win for Roscommon in an exciting finish.
Monaghan host Galway in Inniskeen next Sunday.
Roscommon: D O’Malley (0-1, ’45); D Murray, C Daly, E McGrath; C Hussey, N Daly (0-1), R Daly (0-1); T O’Rourke, E Smith (Capt., 1-1, 1-0 pen); S Killoran, U Harney (0-1), N Kilroy (0-2); C Cregg, C Compton, C Cox (0-5f).
Subs: C Lennon for Compton (34 mins), C Devaney for Cregg (53), H Darcy for Kilroy (60), C Fitzmaurice for Harney (69), G Patterson for Devaney (inj., 70 + 5).
Monaghan: R Beggan (0-2f); K Duffy, C Boyle, R Wylie; D Ward (0-2), B Kerr, C Walshe (Capt.); D Hughes, F Kelly (0-1); S Carey, Jack McCarron (0-2, 1f), G Doogan; M Bannigan, D Malone (0-1), C McCarthy (0-1, m).
Subs: D Wylie for Boyle (inj., 14), C McManus (0-4, 3f) for Bannigan (H-T), R McAnespie for Doogan (43), K O’Connell for Carey (53), S O’Hanlon for McCarthy (66).
Temporary sub: S O’Hanlon for McCarthy (5-9).
Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone).
Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A
Roscommon 1-21 Monaghan 0-14 3/2/19
Monaghan fell to their second defeat of the NHL when they lost out to Roscommon at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday.
An improved second-half performance for a depleted Monaghan team – in the continuing absence of the Castleblayney contingent – gave some hope, although it was never going to be enough to bridge the ten-point gap that Roscommon had opened up by the interval. A Cillian Egan goal midway through the half helped Roscommon to a 1-13 to 0-6 advantage and with Cathal Dolan, Pádraig Kelly and Shane Curley also leading the scoring, they made it back-to-back wins. With a start for manager Trevor Hilliard among four changes for Monaghan, who welcomed back Kevin Crawley as captain and Stephen Lambe after a long absence, the visitors competed much better after the restart. Lambe marked his return with eight points, but with Pádraig McGahon picking up a second yellow card just after the hour mark, Monaghan ended up ten points adrift.
Roscommon: N Fallon; A Moore, P Nolan, H Rooney; J Donnelly, É Flanagan (Capt.); C Coyle; S Curley (0-3, 2f, 1 s-l), D Heavey (0-1); C Dolan (0-7, 6f), M Kellehan (0-1), P Kelly (0-6); G Egan, J Murray, C Egan (1-2).
Subs: P Kenny (0-1) for G Egan, C Coyle for Flanagan.
Monaghan: N Butler; G Brennan, J Guinan, P McKenna; T Hilliard (0-1), É Collins (0-1f), C McKenna (0-1); C Gernon, K Crawley (Capt.); C Power (0-1), P McGahon (0-2, 1f), N Farrell; S McNally, T Campbell, S Lambe (0-8, 6f).
Subs: C McAnespie for Farrell (30), E Walsh for Power, D Mulholland for P McKenna, P Bermingham for S McNally (all 60).
Referee: J Connors (Donegal).
By cshalvey Mon 4th Feb
