Relegation a reality for Roscommon after late Wexford goal

The dreaded prospect of Division 4 football in the 2011 season finally dawned for Roscommon at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon last, when a Shane Roche goal in the first minute of injury time gave Wexford victory. Roscommon had looked set to take the two points on offer when substitute Cathal McHugh found the net four minutes earlier, to edge his side a point in front at a crucial stage. This win gave the Slaneysiders' small band of travelling supporters, in the paltry attendance of no more than 600, sweet revenge for their replayed All-Ireland qualifier defeat to the Primrose and Blue at the same venue last year, while simultaneously consolidating their joint second position with Sligo (on 8 points) in Division 3. Jason's Ryan's charges now entertain already promoted Antrim in the final round on Sunday week, April 11. On the other hand, Roscommon will have nothing to play for but local bragging rights, when they head over the Curlews on the same day to face Sligo, who are seeking promotion for a second successive year, having plied their trade in Division 4 just 12 months ago. Such are the vagaries of football with Fergal O'Donnell's men facing a similar challenge come February 2011, but that is an issue for another day. Meanwhile, there is a vitally important Connacht U-21 FC final v Sligo taking place at Markievicz Park on this (Easter) Saturday, April 3, where a win would greatly exorcise the ghosts of what has been a dismal NFL campaign. The senior team's attention will now turn to the Round 1 Championship game v London at Ruislip on May 30. On a cold, but dry afternoon, Wexford lined out exactly as per match programme for this Round 6 clash, while Roscommon introduced David Keenan (right half-back), Donal Ward (left half-forward) and Terence Kelly (left full-forward) instead of the listed Michael Killilea, Mark O'Carroll and Ger Heneghan, all on the injured list. Subsequent changes brought Peter Domican to the fringe of the square, and Brian Higgins to midfield with Enda Kenny, while full-forward Donal Shine moved out as a third midfielder from the throw-in. Playing against the wind, Wexford made the better start with Ciaran Lyng pointing after 20 seconds, with Shane Roche (free) adding another 3 minutes later. Following a Wexford pick-up out on the stand sideline, Donal Shine pointed the resultant free from a seemingly impossible angle (6th minute), in a score uncannily similar to that against Antrim two weeks previously. Wexford goalie Anthony Masterson, who made a series of timely saves, cleared from another Shine placed ball, but emerging star Cathal Cregg was prime playmaker for a fine equaliser, courtesy of Western Gaels' Donal Ward (11th minute). Play was open and entertaining at this stage and while Gusserane's Adrian Flynn edged the Leinster men ahead in the 12th minute, there then unfolded Roscommon best spell of the match. Goalie Masterson pulled off another top-class block from Donal Ward, but four superlative points from John Rogers, Kevin Higgins, Enda Kenny and Paul Garvey opened up a 3-point lead. Five Roscommon forwards had now scored by the 21st minute, and Wexford, having gone 10 minutes without raising a flag following their bright start, were stung into renewed action. With burly midfielders Brendan Doyle and, in particular, Eric Bradley assuming ascendancy, the response was swift. Three points ensued, courtesy of Ciaran Deely, Adrian Flynn and Redmond Barry, to again tie up the game. Brian Higgins was out of luck for Roscommon when his shot came back off an upright, but a foul on Donal Shine on 37 minutes, which earned the perpetrator David Murphy a yellow card, was punished by the Clann sharpshooter to leave Fergal O'Donnell's men narrowly ahead (0-7 to 0-6) at half-time with wind advantage still to come. Strangely the lively tempo of play didn't carry into the second moiety. Roscommon were not winning primary possession from Wexford's short kick-outs against the breeze, with chances of scores also being spurned due to hasty shooting. We had to wait until the 46th minute for the first score since the resumption, when Wexford's Colm Morris (a half-time sub) obliged. This proved the catalyst for two quick-fire points, firstly a beauty by Donal Shine, and then Wexford levelled again when Morris set up Brendan Doyle to leave the sides deadlocked on 0-8 each. The Slaney men beefed up their attack when introducing PJ Banville to full-forward, but while Strokestown's John Rogers put Roscommon ahead again in the 52nd minute, there followed a further sequence of strong Wexford offensives. Redmond Barry's point again levelled proceedings, but the home team received a let-off when midfielder Doyle finished a Ciaran Lyng sideline kick to the net, only for the score to be disallowed for an infringement. A brace of pointed frees from the boots of Ciaran Lyng and Shane Roche left Wexford 2 points clear, but a double substitution by Roscommon, introducing Cathal McHugh and Colm Garvey, was about to yield rich pickings. A sideline free from Donal Shine, 3 minutes later, was gathered by Cathal McHugh (St. Brigid's), who expertly shot to the Wexford net, thereby restoring a one-point advantage with only 3 minutes of normal time remaining. With the home support in full voice at the prospect of a second league win on the trot, the excitement was at fever pitch, but Wexford were awarded a close-in free (when wing-forward Adrian Flynn clearly 'dived' soccer style), which was pointed by Shane Roche with a minute to go. Roscommon tried desperately to get back upfield for a winner, but Wexford struck lethal and late, a minute into injury time, when a clearance by wing-back Brian Malone came to corner-forward Ciaran Lyng and he passed to No. 15 Shane Roche, who shot to the net, condemning Roscommon to Division 4 football next season, where they will be joined by Fermanagh. In the space of 4 minutes, the home team's slim hopes of survival disappeared, but it's championship tune that will now occupy players, mentors, and spectators. There's plenty of upcoming football to be played, starting this Saturday in Markievicz Park. SCORERS - Wexford: S Roche 1-3 (0-3f); A Flynn, R Barry 0-2 each; C Lyng 0-2 (1f); C Deely, C Morris, B Doyle 0-1 each. Roscommon: C McHugh 1-0; D Shine 0-3 (2f); J Rogers 0-2; D Ward, K Higgins, E Kenny, P Garvey 0-1 each. WEXFORD: Anthony Masterson, Damien Carter, Joey Wadding, Niall Murphy, Brian Malone, David Murphy, Aindreas Doyle, Eric Bradley, Brendan Doyle, Ciaran Deely, Redmond Barry, Adrian Flynn, Ciaran Lyng, Pat Naughter and Shane Roche. Subs: Colm Morris for Deely (h/t), PJ Banville for Naughter (49). ROSCOMMON: Geoffrey Claffey, Sean McDermott, Peter Domican, Stephen Ormsby, David Keenan, Cathal Cregg, Sean Purcell, Brian Higgins, Enda Kenny, Paul Garvey, Kevin Higgins, Donal Ward, John Rogers, Donal Shine, Terence Kelly. Subs: Darragh Hussey for Kelly (41); Cathal Dineen for Ward (55); Cathal McHugh and Colm Garvey for Rogers and Keenan (64) REFEREE: Michael Duffy (Sligo), who issued 9 yellow cards (5 to Roscommon).