Tyrone continue to lead Division One A of the National Football League after a deserved victory over Roscommon at Hyde Park yesterday kept their unbeaten run intact.
They scored five unanswered points in the last 15 minutes to overcome a gallant home side who levelled the scores on four occasions before giving way to a much better team.
Not for the first time Peter Canavan proved to be the difference between the sides; not only did he score five points but he was inspirational throughout.
Roscommon desperately lack a player with Canavan's leadership qualities. Their corner forward Frankie Dolan is shaping up to be the best candidate for that role; but Roscommon were unlucky to see the talented St Brigid's player leave the field injured midway through the second half. Earlier they lost key defender Denis Gavin through injury.
Dolan's loss was felt immediately and his departure coincided with Tyrone regaining control of midfield and going on to build a somewhat flattering winning margin in the closing stages.
Roscommon started brightly when Nigel Dineen opened the scoring after four minutes. But Tyrone quickly took a firm grip on proceedings and points from Eoin Mulligan, Gerrard Cavlan, Damian Gormley and two from Canavan had them 0-5 to 0-1 in front after 14 minutes.
Roscommon responded well and points from Dolan (two frees) Francie Grehan and Dineen had them level within 10 minutes, although they were a point behind at the break - 0-7 to 0-6. Both goalkeepers saw very little action although Tyrone were unlucky when Damien Gormley found the Roscommon net after 12 minutes only to be whistled back by referee Pat Fox for picking the ball off the ground.
Canavan stretched Tyrone's lead after the restart but Roscommon drew level through Dineen and Dolan and the scores were tied again after Eddie Lohan replied to an Eoin Gormley point for Tyrone.
However, the home side ran out of steam in the final quarter which was dominated by Tyrone to such an extent that two of their defenders, Ryan McMenamin and Declan McCrossan, found enough space to come forward and score two of the last five points.
Roscommon: S Curran; D Gavin, K Keane, J Whyte; M Ryan, P Noone, G Mockler; D Connellan, F O'Donnell; D Kelly, F Grehan (0-1), G Cox; N Dineen (0-3), S Lohan, F Dolan (0-4). Subs: L Dowd for S Lohan; M Raftery for Gavin; E Lohan (0-1) for Dolan; P Mahon for F Grehan; K Lynch for Kelly; C Heneghan for Ryan.
Tyrone: F McConnell; R McMenamin (0-1), C Lawn, M McGee; C Gourley, S Teague, D McCrossan (0-1); K Hughes, P Campbell; E Mul- ligan (0-1), S O'Neill (0-3), G Cavlan (0-1); P Canavan (0-5), C McBride, D Gormley (0-1). Subs: B McGuigan for Campbell; E Gormley (0-1) for McBride; J Campbell for D Gormley; C McGinley for E Gormley.
Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).
