Roscommon 1-11 Armagh 1-09
The outcome of this game was expected to be a formality - an easy win for the Orchard County. Leading by double scores at the break 1-7 to 0-5 it all seemed to be going to plan. Nobody in the estimated 3,500 attendance could have predicted what was about to unfold before their eyes.
Senan Kilbride hit the net in the opening seconds of the second half, the ideal tonic for a rejuvenated Roscommon. Armagh were stunned by the intensity of the home side after the break and when the hard questions were asked Paddy O’Rourke’s men didn’t have the answers.
Des Newton’s men went on to outscore their northern opponents 1-6 to 0-2 during the second half in front of a relatively small but very vocal home support. The entire Roscommon defence were outstanding with four of the six Armagh forwards being replaced. Cathal Cregg played a massive part in this historic win while Donie Shine (0-7 ) and Senan Kilbride (1-1 ) did most of the damage on the scoreboard.
This hugely encouraging and totally unexpected performance has erased the bitter taste left by the heavy defeat at the hands of Galway in the provincial championship. They have been drawn against Tyrone in round two. After this performance I wouldn’t bet against them.
The Roscommon minor footballers booked their place in the provincial decider at the expense of Galway on a great weekend for the Rossies. Ironically, like their senior counterparts, they won on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-9, though they did need extra time to see off the Galway challenge.
