Roscommon 0-7 Leitrim 0-5:COBWEBS FROM the recent two-month training ban were very much in evidence in Elphin as Roscommon and Leitrim served up poor fare yesterday.

The home side were two points in arrears at the break but they improved with the wind behind them in the second half. They outscored Leitrim 0-5 to 0-1 with midfielder Martin Reynolds’ accuracy from placed balls proving crucial.

The sides were deadlocked at 0-2 apiece after 25 minutes, frees from Ray Cox and Reynolds accounting for their sides’ scores. But Leitrim hit a purple patch before the break with excellent points from play by Ray Mulvey and wing-back Barry Prior to open up a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage. Indeed Mickey Moran’s men should have been further in front but they miscued badly in front of the posts on numerous occasions.

Roscommon improved after the break with the switching of Kevin Higgins to full-forward proving crucial. A 45 from Reynolds alongside a point from play from Conor Devaney brought the sides level. Higgins and Devaney pushed Roscommon in front before Cox left a point in it with seven minutes remaining.

The same player missed a crucial free to level proceedings before Reynolds sealed Roscommon’s opening success with a 20-metre free in injury-time.

ROSCOMMON: M Miley; J Carney, J Nolan, S McDermott; C Beirne, N Carty, D Ward; M Reynolds 0-4 (3f, 1’45), K Higgins 0-1; F Cregg, C Devaney (0-2 (1f), S O’Grady; T Kelly, J Dunning, D Hussey. Subs: M Finneran for Hussey (42 mins), J Connaughton for O’Grady (51 mins).

LEITRIM: C McCrann; D Beck, R Gallagher, B McWeeney; G Reynolds, J McKeon, B Prior (0-1); T Beirne, W McKeon; R Mulvey (0-1), C Sheridan, F Clancy; C Kelly, J Glancy, R Cox 0-3 (3f). Subs: B McDonald for Kelly (45 mins), P Brennan for Clancy (49 mins).

Referee: J Henry.