Offaly make recovery

Offaly 1-13 Roscommon 1-06 Failure to build on a flying start, which saw Frankie Doran score 1-1 inside the opening two minutes…

Offaly 1-13 Roscommon 1-06 Failure to build on a flying start, which saw Frankie Doran score 1-1 inside the opening two minutes, proved costly for Roscommon in their crucial league game against Offaly in Tullamore yesterday.

The Connacht side were eventually outplayed by their hosts, who finished the game as decisive winners.

The home side recovered splendidly from that disastrous start and, having played into a strong wind, they were the happier and more confident side going in at half-time on level terms at 0-6 to 1-3.

With promotion the likely prize for the winners, Offaly proved the more determined side in a game where no quarter was sought or given.

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The principle credit for this important victory must go to the Offaly defence, for all six backs gave a magnificent display of blocking and tackling that knocked Roscommon completely out of their stride.

Five minutes into the second half, Colm Quinn's goal proved decisive for the midland side and they then went on to open up a six-point lead.

Apart from a sticky patch, during which the visitors scored all three of their second-half points in a five-minute spell to give the large band of travelling supporters renewed hope, it was Offaly who lasted the game's frantic pace better and four unanswered points left them clear and deserving winners at the final whistle.

OFFALY: C McNamara; S Sullivan, C Evans, S Brady; B Mooney, C Daly, K Slattery; C McManus (0-4), P Kellaghan (0-1); N Coughlan (0-2), R Malone, A McNamee; C Quinn (1-2), N McNamee (0-1), J Reynolds (0-2). Subs: B Malone for Sullivan; J Grennan for Kellaghan; T Deehan for R Malone; J O'Neill (0-1) for A McNamee.

ROSCOMMON: S Curran; Ray Cox, M Ryan, P Noone; E Towey, F Grehan, J Rogers; S O'Neill, B Higgins; J Egan, J Hanly (0-1), Ronan Cox; N Dineen (0-1), K Mannion (0-1), F Doran (1-3). Subs: D Casey for Ronan Cox; J Dunney for Hanly; G Heneghan for Higgins; J Nolan for Noone.

Referee: C Broderick (Down).