Roscommon get off to promising start

Early-season portents as to the likely outcome of last Sunday"s opening NFL encounter at Kiltoom proved only too true as Roscommon - fresh from an impressive FBD Connacht League campaign - maintained this momentum when securing a 9-point verdict over a very disappointing Offaly fifteen. Defeats to a third choice Dublin and Carlow, in the O"Byrne Cup and Shield competitions, respectively, both on home turf, were anything but encouraging in anticipation of a good league opening debut for the Faithfuls. And these setbacks, together with being forced to cross the Shannon minus some key players, would have caused much concern to travelling partisans. Still, the sight of those Primrose and Blue jerseys have traditionally instilled fire and determination into the Tricolours when these sides have met over the years. Heavy rain in preceding days resulted in this local derby being transferred from Dr. Hyde Park to St. Brigid"s H/Q at Kiltoom, and, once again, the local club rose to the occasion in tremendous style with a perfect sod, excellent stewarding, and everything in order, for the estimated 2,500 present. Fergal O"Donnell"s side were minus the listed Seamus O"Neill (he came on late in the game); Brian Higgins moved to midfield with Seanie McDermott dropping to wing-back and Conor Devaney introduced at half-forward. Offaly, for whom the McNamee brothers, Alan and Niall (currently in Australia), were notable absentees, lined out as selected on the match programme, but manager Richie Connor was again forced to do without a number of recent first choice players who, for one reason or another, have not made themselves available to the 2009 panel. Clear evidence of the eventual outcome of this league encounter was there for all to see in the opening quarter. Although playing against a strong breeze on a bitingly cold, but thankfully dry, day, the Rossies imposed their authority on proceedings. The home team showed a tigerish zeal for work in hassling and harrying their opponents, thereby allowing Offaly little or no time to initiate attacks. The man-marking of the entire defensive unit, especially John Nolan, Peter Domican (St Brigid"s), Seanie McDermott and the outstanding David Casey, was a classic role-model of effective resistance, while, almost from the off, Karol Mannion and Brian Higgins established ascendancy at midfield. The Offaly defence was, in turn, subject to severe pressure from tearaway attacks, and it was against this background that the home squad built up an 0-5 to 0-0 lead by the 19th minute, making light of the adversarial elements. Spurred on by the urgings of last-line defenders Conor Evans, Ciaran McManus, in particular, and Karol Slattery, Richie Connor"s men - who did waste some earlier scoring chances - showed some improvement as the first half turned the corner. Having failed to raise a flag up to the 23rd minute, newcomer Ruairi Allen (Gracefield) pointed to open the Offaly account. They would equate on the scoreboard (0-3 each) with the ultimate winners from then to the interval, but would still have regarded an 0-8 to 0-3 half-time deficit, and facing the wind in the second moiety, as a veritable mountain to climb. With Roscommon"s Conor Devaney almost goaling in the opening seconds after the resumption - Alan Mulhall made a fine interception at the expense of a fruitless '45' - it was then Offaly"s turn to be denied of a priceless goal when PJ Ward came within a whisker of a major score. However, O"Donnell"s brigade quickly re-established their dominance. They increased their lead to 0-14 to 0-5, but again Offaly, with Brian Connor now at midfield, tried hard to breach the Ros" resistance. Midfielder Niall Smith"s rasping shot was only inches wide of the left upright while it took a super save by Geoffrey Claffey to prevent Niall Darby from annexing a goal. The introduction of forwards Rory Guinan and James Coughlan brought a notable improvement to the Offaly attack, with the Ballycumber man finding the target on two occasions, but Roscommon, introducing a raft of replacements, nevertheless maintained control and, with relative ease, took the two points on offer by a 9-point margin. Scoring Sequence Roscommon"s Ger Heneghan, making a welcome return after missing the FBD League Final, had his team in front with a pointed free in the second minute. Offaly"s Ger Rafferty had claims for a '45' waved aside, but another Heneghan free was then punched over by Senan Kilbride. Karol Mannion placed Conor Devaney for a 10th minute point, with the young Kilbride player turning provider for Gary Cox to find the target (12th minute). With Brian Higgins and Karol Mannion dominating midfield, Ger Heneghan pointed another free before Offaly got on the board with Ruairi Allen"s 23rd minute point. We then had a brace of PJ Ward pointed frees for Offaly, either side of Ger Heneghan"s third score from a placed ball. Still, Roscommon pressed, and a Senan Kilbride point was followed by another score, with Brian Higgins - following a Peter Domican upfield foray - splitting the uprights, on the stroke of half-time. This left Roscommon leading 0-8 to 0-3 at the interval. Now against the breeze, and five points in arrears, Offaly needed to strike early and decisively, but, as stated, it was Conor Devaney (Ros") who almost found the net in the second half"s infancy. Another trio of Roscommon points ensued - frees from Ger Heneghan and Senan Kilbride and a point on the run from attacking half-back Sean Purcell. Rhode"s Niall Darby scored only his side"s second point from play in the 46th minute, but it was Roscommon who continued the offensive with another triduum of points - this time by impressive newcomer Damien Keenehan (2 from play) and Senan Kilbride (free). Substitute Rory Guinan had Offaly"s 5th point (57th minute) and this preceded those two goal efforts - per Niall Smith and Niall Darby - for the Tricolours. Roscommon"s two final points came within seconds of each other in the 61st minute - when Gary Cox and Karol Mannion pointed to bring their score to 0-16. And while Offaly - via Niall Darby and Rory Guinan - had the final scores of the afternoon, they made no difference to the final outcome which saw the Rossies getting off to a winning start and looking forward to their next meeting with Limerick (away) on Saturday 14th February with confidence. Fergal O"Donnell will be very pleased, undoubtedly, with the exuberance and hunger displayed by his charges on the day. Apart from those already mentioned, Conor Devaney, Damien Keenehan, Gary Cox and Senan Kilbride can feel very satisfied with a profitable day"s work. Offaly were disappointing on the day, but they will be strengthened for future games with the return of key performers. Longford are likely to provide doughty opposition, at Tullamore, on Sunday 15th February, where big improvement is essential. On an occasion to forget, Conor Evans, Ciaran McManus, Karol Slattery, Brian Connor, Niall Smith, Colin Egan, Niall Darby and sub Rory Guinan tried hard at various stages. SCORERS - Roscommon: G Heneghan (0-4, 4f); S Kilbride (0-4, 2f); G Cox, D Keenehan (0-2) each; C Devaney, B Higgins, S Purcell, K Mannion (0-1) each. Offaly: PJ Ward (0-2, 2f); N Darby, R Guinan (0-2) each; R Allen (0-1). ROSCOMMON: Geoffrey Claffey, Paul Gleeson, John Nolan, Peter Domican, Seanie McDermott, David Casey, Seán Purcell, Brian Higgins, Karol Mannion, Conor Devaney, Damien Keenehan, Gary Cox, Fintan Cregg, Senan Kilbride, Ger Heneghan. Subs: Kevin Higgins for Cregg (45 mins), Michael Duignan for Kilbride (58), Seamus O"Neill for Higgins (60), Derek Connellan for Devaney (63), Paul Kelly for Gleeson (65), David Keenan for Purcell (67). Wides: 7. OFFALY: Alan Mulhall, Conor Evans, Ciarán McManus, Karol Slattery, Matthew Mitchell, Joe Quinn, Brian Darby, Colin Egan, Niall Smith (Capt), Niall Darby, Ger Rafferty, Ruairi Allen, P.J. Ward, Brian Connor, Ken Casey. Subs: James Coughlan for Rafferty (40 mins), Rory Guinan for Ward (46). Wides: 12. REFEREE: Jimmy White (Donegal).