Sport

Duggan sets up Roscommon

It was Derek Duggan's goal from a 40-metre free nine minutes into the second half that set up the hosts for a deserving victory…

Mon Mar 27 2000 - 01:00

It was Derek Duggan's goal from a 40-metre free nine minutes into the second half that set up the hosts for a deserving victory over a poor Armagh at a wintry Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon yesterday afternoon.

That score, from the half forward, sent Roscommon into a 1-6 to 0-6 advantage and from there to the finish Gay Sheerin's side produced some top-class football to come out with a comfortable victory.

Both teams seemed to play better against the strong breeze than with it. Armagh looked to be in pole position at half-time.

They were level at five points each and with the breeze to come, but Diarmuid Marsden and Oisin McConville, Armagh's dangermen up front, were well held by a resolute Roscommon rearguard and that laid the platform for the forwards to snatch the vital scores, with Derek Duggan hitting 1-5.

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The first half was nip and tuck, score for score. Oisin McConville gave Armagh an early lead. Derek Duggan levelled after five and the pattern was set for the remaining 30 minutes.

A double from full forward Diarmuid Marsden midway through the first period saw the visitors lead by 0-4 to 0-3 but points from Stephen Lohan and Frankie Dolan right on the call of half-time meant it was all square at the break, five points each.

Paddy McKeever shot Armagh back in front within 24 seconds of the re-start but that was the best the Armagh men could do.

On 44 minutes Derek Duggan hit a 40-metre free that swept into the net to give Roscommon a crucial advantage of 1-6 to 0-6 with 27 minutes to play.

There was no way back for the Ulstermen as they completely lost their shape and Roscommon took over.

Another Duggan free, along with great scores from Sean Casey and Fergal O'Donnell, sealed a brilliant victory for the home side who now face Donegal in a real crunch game in two weeks' time with a semi-final place for Roscommon very much up for grabs.

ROSCOMMON: D Thompson; D Gavin, J White, R Owens; B Mannion, B Bourke, M Ryan; J Gillooly, D Casserly; D Duggan (1-5), F Grehan (0-1), S Casey (0-1); F O'Donnell (0-1), S Lohan (0-1), F Dolan (0-1). Subs: E Gavin for Mannion, N Dineen for Gillooly.

ARMAGH: B Tierney; M McNeill, G Reid, J McNulty; K Hughes, K McGeeney, A McCann; P McGrane (0-1), J McEntee; P McKeever (0-2), G Houlihan, A O'Neill; S McDonnell (0-2), D Marsden (0-2), O McConville (0-2). Subs: C O'Rourke for McDonnell, C Shortt for Houlihan, P Loughran for McKeever.

Referee: M McBreen (Fermanagh).