Updated 20.10
Tyrone 0-12
Roscommon 1-7
A GRIPPING ALL-Ireland football qualifier second round clash at Dr Hyde Park ended with a Tyrone win despite a spirited Roscommon performance.
Six points in a row after the break put Tyrone clear, but Roscommon hit four in a row to leave only two in it late on.
But Tyrone were crafty enough to hold out for a victory at the end of a match that was all about perspiration rather than inspiration.
John Evans’ side, thumped in Connacht by Mayo, have been all hearty aggression out west and had it delicately poised at the break.
It was a tight and tense start as Roscommon put men behind the ball as the first quarter was a tale of frustration for Tyrone.
Conor Devaney and Sean Cavanagh swapped frees in the opening 19 minutes as Roscommon were primed for a physical encounter.
Tyrone, though, eventually hit the front in the 22nd minute when Mark Donnelly nailed a delightful score from distance.
It seemed as if Tyrone would have to opt for long range efforts because Roscommon had plenty of players deep and there wasn’t much too space for the Red Hands’ attack inside.
Neil Collins fisted a 26th minute point to restore parity again and Roscommon were gaining in hope and confidence.
Then the Hyde exploded on the half hour mark when Devaney netted a goal at the second attempt following Karol Mannion’s delivery.
Darren McCurry responded with a splendid point from an acute angle for Tyrone, who had been finding it extremely difficult against the determined locals.
Mark Donnelly clipped a fine score to leave the minimum between the teams and then Conor McAliskey converted a 45.
McCurry nudged over three frees in quick succession to give Tyrone the lead and momentum as Roscommon lacked of forward punch suddenly became an issue.
Tyrone’s attack were now beginning to parade their ability and the exciting McCurry rifled over a fine score from play as the Red Hands edged 0-9 to 1-2 ahead.
Martin Penrose and Sean Cavanagh had Tyrone six clear before Roscommon substitute Kevin Higgins replied.
Mickey Harte’s charges remained calm and composed despite Roscommon’s attempted comeback with a monster Donie Shine free trimming the deficit to four with 11 minutes on the clock.
A brace of Cathal Cregg frees got the margin down to two, but Tyrone didn’t let the underdogs in for the goal they craved so badly.
Scorers for Tyrone: Darren McCurry 0-6 (4fs), Mark Donnelly 0-2, Sean Cavanagh 0-2 (1f), Martin Penrose 0-1, Conor McAliskey 0-1 (45).Roscommon: Conor Devaney 1-1 (1f), Cathal Cregg 0-3 (2fs), Kevin Higgins 0-1, Neil Collins 0-1, Donie Shine 0-1 (f).
Tyrone: Pascal McConnell; Ryan McKenna, Joe McMahon, Cathal McCarron; Conor Clarke, Peter Harte, Conor Gormley; Colm Cavanagh, Sean Cavanagh; Mattie Donnelly, Mark Donnelly, Ciaran McGinley; Darren McCurry, Martin Penrose, Conor McAliskey. Subs: Kevin Gallagher for Mattie Donnelly (47 mins), Ronan O’Neill for McAliskey (47 mins), Sean Warnock for McKenna (57 mins), Kyle Coney for McCurry (63 mins), Paddy McNiece for Mark Donnelly (65 mins)
Roscommon: Darren O’Malley; Neil Collins, Niall Carty, Seanie McDermott; David Keenan, Niall Daly, Paddy Brogan; Cathal Shine, Karol Mannion; Conor Daly, Enda Smith, Ian Kilbride; Cathal Cregg, Donie Shine, Conor Devaney. Subs: David O’Gara for E Smith (39 mins), K Higgins for I Kilbride (42 mins), Michael Finneran for C Daly (50 mins), Colin Compton for Devaney (55 mins), Senan Kilbride for Shine (65)
Referee: David Gough (Meath).
First published 19.10
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