Roscommon takes a big step towards promotion in Armagh

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Roscommon set foot in Division 1 with tonight’s win at the top of the table over second-tier title challengers Armagh.

Played at the Athletic Grounds in a nearly empty stadium, two second-half goals in two minutes by the Rossies did the damage and ended up worthy winners.

Anthony Cunningham’s men dictated much of the tempo of the second half and used their greatest experience to handle the game off the line, while Armagh seemed to have the aces up his sleeve early on, but lost his form when it mattered.

Roscommon seemed to be enjoying most of the possession, but it was Orchard’s team that proved the most clinical in the first half. The Rossies blew eight early scoring opportunities at seven wide in the first half, while Armagh only kicked a first half wide.

There didn’t seem to be much of a problem with not having competitive games since March. B Both teams seemed physically stronger and it was clear that much of the Covid months were spent in home gyms.

Rian O’Neill’s free convert opened the scoring in the sixth minute and his Crossmaglen clubmate Callum Cumiskey doubled the lead after Aidan Forker delivered the perfect pass to allow him to claim a forward mark.

Armagh prepared defensively early on and they did a great job shutting out Roscommon and it took Connacht’s men 14 minutes to break their duck with Cian McKeon taking that honor.

Two points from Oisin O’Neill in three minutes gave Armagh a 0-04 to 0-01 lead as they began to exert some pressure above. Players like Jamie Clarke, Stefan Campbell and Rory Grugan had been disciplined on defense but gradually showed their teeth on offense.

Young Conor Turbitt extended Armagh’s lead before Roscommon struck back with McKeon scoring his second point and Conor Cox led his free.

And in the 34th minute, Enda Smith was fouled and scored and made no mistake on the resulting penalty to give the Rossies the lead for the first time.

However, his time at the helm was short-lived as Armagh rallied with Rory Grugan scoring twice on either side of Rian O’Neill’s curvy beauty, to give Orchard’s team a 0-08-1 advantage. 03 at break.

Points from Grugan and Rian O’Neill sent Armagh away, but Roscommon broke that script with two goals in as many minutes.

Smith coldly converted his second penalty in the 43rd minute and two minutes later Conor Daly had bagged Roscommon’s third goal after Conor Cox’s wonderful run.

Roscommon’s tails were up, and Cox and McKeown followed with points, while Rian O’Neill answered (free) for Armagh as the Rossies led by three in the second water break (0-11 to 3-05).

The Rossies handled the game brilliantly in the fourth quarter, as they kept a goal-chasing Armagh at arm’s length with points from Ciaran Lennon and the impressive Conor Cox closing out the win.

Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Ryan Kennedy, Aidan Forker, Paddy Burns; Conor O’Neill, James Morgan, Callum Cumiskey (0-01); Niall Grimley, Oisin O’Neill (0-04, 0-01f, 0-01m); Conor Turbitt (0-01), Stefan Campbell, Mark Shields; Rory Grugan (0-03, 0-02fs), Rian O’Neill (0-05, 0-03fs) Jamie Clarke (0-01).

Subs used: Aaron McKay for Kennedy (ht), Jarly Og Burns for Turbitt (46 minutes), Paul Hughes for O’Neill (54 minutes), Joe McElroy for Campbell (58 minutes), Jemar Hall for Cumiskey (62 minutes).

Roscommon: Colm Lavin, David Murray, Conor Daly (1-00), Sean Mullooly, Ronan Daly (0-02), Brian Stack, Niall Daly, Cathal Compton, Tadgh O’Rourke, Niall Kilroy, Enda Smith (2-00, 2 -00 pens) Cian McKeon (0-03, 0-01f), Ciaran Lennon (0-01), Conor Cox (0-04, 0-03fs), Cathal Cregg.

Subs used: Conor Devaney for Cregg (43 minutes), Ciaran Murtagh for Kilroy (43 minutes), Conor Hussey for C Daly (50 minutes), Shane Killoran for O’Rourke (59 minutes), Eddie Nolan for Compton (62 minutes).

Referee: D Gough (Meath).



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