Sam Mulroy, Louth, and John McManus, Roscommon, in Allianz Football League action. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Two
Roscommon 1-17 (1-1-15) Louth 1-15 (1-3-9)
By Dan Bannon at Integral GAA Grounds
Roscommon gladly came out of this absorbing Allianz Division two tie with a gutsy two point win over a spirited Louth side.
Back in Drogheda for the first time in five years, the hosts brought the partisan crowd to a frenzy, but it would not be enough to deny the Murtagh brothers.
Finishing with 10 points between them, the St. Faithleach’s siblings were sharp for Roscommon. Louth were gutsy, but could not contain the pair.
Louth were dealt a blow as early as the third minute when All-Star Craig Lennon had to be replaced after scoring the opening point of the game. The affair was even in the opening stages, level three times before Davy Burke’s side upped the ante.
Taking Louth for five points in a row, Enda Smith was getting the full value on the choking press on the Louth restarts. Both Murtagh’s compounded matters for Ger Brennan’s men with some fine finishing.
Right on the stroke of half time, Diarmuid, brought a close in free, beyond the arc to really turn the screw. The score also illustrated the power of the two point free. Especially with the last kick of the half.
The lead was stretched 0-10 to 0-5 in an instant, Louth were held by that low tally with another eye-catching display by Roscommon defender Colm Neary.
The home crowd needed a reaction and it wasn’t forthcoming. Kieran McArdle did come off the bench to kick his first score for his county but Roscommon were too strong across the field.
Impressive midfielder Keith Doyle fired home the opening goal of proceedings with eight minutes remaining.
That late goal gave Roscommon a six point lead in the thrilling finale, but with the new rule enhancements, control is at a premium. Louth eventually roared back into the game.
Debutant Val Leddy was sprung from the bench and with his first touch, found the net and really lifted the rafters after Ciaran Downey scored from downtown.
Roscommon hung on in with a marvellous Conor Cox effort to break momentum slightly. Too little, too late however for Louth, despite Mulroy and Naomh Mairtin club mate Dara McDonnell finding the range.
Scorers for Roscommon: Diarmuid Murtagh 0-6 (1 2pf, 1f), Ciaráin Murtagh 0-4, Keith Doyle 1-0, Donie Smith 0-2, Daire Cregg 0-1(f) Shane Cunnane 0-1 (m), Enda Smith 0-1, Ben O’Carroll 0-1 and Conor Cox 0-1.
Scorers for Louth: Sam Mulroy 0-8 (2ptf 4f), Ciaran Downey 0-3 (1 2pt), Val Leddy 1-0, Andy McDonnell 0-1, Craig Lennon 0-1, Kieran McArdle 0-1 and Dara McDonnell 0-1.
Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Niall Higgins, Pearse Frost, Colm Neary; Brian Stack, Shane Cunnane, John McManus; Eddie Nolan, Keith Doyle; Shane Killoran, Ciaráin Murtagh, Enda Smith; Diarmuid Murtagh, Donie Smith, Daire Cregg.
Subs: Senan Lambe for Nolan (49), Cian McKeon for Killoran (52), Ultan Harney for D Smith (57), Ruaidhri Fallon for McManus (Blood 57) Ben O’Carroll for Cregg (62), Conor Cox for D Murtagh (70)
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Dermot Campbell, Peter Lynch, Donal McKenny; Conall McKeever, Emmett Carolan, Craig Lennon; Tommy Durnin, Dara McDonnell; Andy McDonnell, Sam Mulroy, Ciaran Murphy; Daire McConnon, Ciaran Downey, Sean Reynolds.
Subs: Tadhg McDonnell for Lennon (3), Pearse Grimes Murphy for Murphy (39), Kieran McArdle for Reynolds (43), Liam Jackson for Carolan (49), Val Leddy for McConnon (62).
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)
