Senior Footballers claim convincing win over Roscommon

DUBLIN 1-21 

ROSCOMMON 2-7

A dominant first-half set the tone as Dublin eased past Roscommon by eleven points in their Allianz National Football League Division 1 encounter at a damp King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon. 

The counties had experienced contrasting fortunes in the league to date but Dublin got back on track, picking up their second league of the season as they largely controlled events from start to finish. 

The Dubs enjoyed a sizeable, albeit wind-assisted, 1-14 to 1-1 lead at half-time with Luke Breathnach netting for the visitors in the 11th minute while Daire Cregg replied for the Rossies fourteen minutes later.

A Dylan Ruane goal briefly offered hopes of an unlikely second-half comeback but Dublin managed the final quarter with relative ease. 

It was Sean Bugler that opened the scoring in the 3rd minute following a patient period of possession and Dublin increased their lead through a two-pointer from Niall Scully five minutes later. 

With a strong breeze at their backs, the Dubs availed of some sloppy Roscommon shooting to pull further ahead through a second Bugler point before they pounced for the game’s opening goal in the 11th minute. 

The pace of Eoin Murchan was pivotal as he burst through from deep and while Killian McGinnis’ goal attempt was half-blocked, Breathnach was on hand at the far post to slide home from close range. 

Bugler added a two-pointer to continue Dublin’s impressive start with luck firmly on their side at the end of the first quarter as Diarmuid Murtagh struck the upright with the goal at his mercy. 

Dublin’s accuracy from distance was reflected in further two-pointed scores by Eoin Kennedy, Hugh O’Sullivan (free) and Paddy Small before the hosts finally opened their account thanks to Robert Heneghan in the 25th minute. 

The Rossies stalled Dublin’s momentum even further as Daire Cregg reacted well as the ball rebounded off the upright, shooting home from eight yards via the left-hand of O’Sullivan. 

That concession saw the away side lose a degree of impetus to their play with a free from Small their sole reply as they entered the break leading by thirteen points.

Enda Smith blazed narrowly wide within fifteen seconds of the resumption as Dublin availed of a rules infringement in the 39th minute with Scully popping over the resultant free. 

Points followed through McGinnis and Charlie McMorrow as the away lead stretched to sixteen points before the hosts finally found their two-point range through Murtagh in the 44thminute. 

A brilliant point on the counter-attack, finished by Breathnach, ensured the Dubs maintained a threat in attack but a goal at the opposite end from Ruane in the 50th minute offered hope to the home faithful.

Cregg and Caelim Keogh added points soon after as Dublin came under increasing pressure but the cool heads of Ciaran Kilkenny, Scully and Howard saw them take the sting from Roscommon’s comeback. 

Alex Gavin’s point in the 63rd minute was equally significant as the home challenge wilted and Dublin pressed home their dominance through late points from McGinnis and Ross McGarry.  

Scorers – Dublin: L Breathnach 1-1; S Bugler (1 P2), N Scully (1 P2, 2f) 0-4 each; P Small (1 P2, 1f) 0-3; E Kennedy (P2), H O’Sullivan (F2), K McGinnis 0-2 each; C McMorrow, A Gavin, R McGarry 0-1 apiece. Roscommon: D Cregg 1-1; D Ruane 1-0; D Murtagh (P2) 0-2; R Heneghan, C Keogh, E Colleran, S Lambe 0-1 apiece.

Dublin: H O’Sullivan; E Murchan, N Doran, D Byrne; A Gavin, C McMorrow, E Kennedy; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, B Howard; N Scully, S Bugler, C Kilkenny; P Small, K McGinnis, L Breathnach. Subs: L Smith for Murchan (Temp, 2-3), G McEneaney for Kennedy (53), N O’Callaghan for Small (58), J Lundy for Breathnach (63), R McGarry for Kilkenny (68), L Smith for Murchan (69).   

Roscommon: C Carroll; P Gavin, C Keogh, C Neary; E Ward, R Daly, S Lambe; K Doyle, R Fallon; D Ruane, E Smith, C Hand; D Murtagh, D Cregg, R Heneghan. Subs: J Duggan for Fallon (half-time), C Lennon for Hand (43), E Colleran for Heneghan (46), N Higgins for Daly (58), P Carey for Ruane (62). 

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork).