Roscommon hold nerve for victory

NFL DIVISION FOUR: Roscommon 1-12 Longford 0-13: ROSCOMMON WITHSTOOD a forceful second-half comeback to gain a vital win in …

NFL DIVISION FOUR: Roscommon 1-12 Longford 0-13:ROSCOMMON WITHSTOOD a forceful second-half comeback to gain a vital win in dreadful conditions at Hyde Park yesterday.

Longford had reduced a eight-point deficit four minutes into the second half to just one point by the 66th minute and looked to have a great chance of winning. However substitute Paul Barden kicked a long-range free wide with two minutes of normal time remaining.

Two minutes into injury-time Fintan Cregg clinched victory for Roscommon when he fisted Donie Shine’s dipping free over the bar.

ROSCOMMON:G Claffey; E Barrett, J Nolan, P Domican; S McDermott, D Casey, D Keenan; K Mannion, B Higgins (0-1); G Cox, D Keenehan, D Shine (0-5, three frees, two 45s); F Cregg (0-1), S Kilbride (0-5, all frees), G Heneghan. Subs:J Dunning for Heneghan (10 mins, yellow), S Purcell (1-0) for Keenan (12 mins, yellow), D Connellan for Keenehan (50 mins), P Gleeson for Barrett (55 mins), M Finneran for Mannion (63 mins).

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LONGFORD:S Waters; D Brady, N Farrell, P Foy; D Masterson, E Williams, K Smith; P Reynolds, K Mulligan; D Farrell (0-1), P Berry (0-1), W Skelly (0-4, all frees); F McGee (0-1), C Mimnagh, D Keenan. Subs:J McEntire for Masterson (27 mins, yellow), P Barden (0-4, one free) for Mulligan (31 mins), D Barden (0-1) for McGee (45 mins, yellow), P Shanley (0-1) for Keenan (49 mins).

Referee:M Higgins (Fermanagh).