Roscommon get the better of Leitrim in scrappy affair

The accuracy of Martin Reynolds proved crucial for Roscommon as they got their FBD Connacht League campaign off to a winning start at the expense of Leitrim at Orchard Park in Elphin on Sunday. Reynolds hit four of his side's total tally, all from placed balls, as Roscommon came out on top in what can only be described as a scrappy affair. As is generally the case with games at this time of year, there were plenty of mistakes from both sets of players but the opportunity to get 60 minutes of competitive football was the key to last Sunday's assignment. Roscommon corner-back Seanie McDermott was the only player from the side that lost to Cork in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final to line out for this clash. Nonetheless, Fergal O'Donnell handed a number of fringe players the opportunity to impress and they didn't let their manager down, with Kevin Higgins and Conor Devaney the other scorers on the day for the Rossies. As is generally the case with the FBD League, managers are looking at new players with the aim of building an established panel in time for the National League. There were several new faces in the Leitrim side from last year. Leitrim were undoubtedly the better team in the opening half. Playing with a strong wind at their backs they were calm in possession and clever with their use of ball up until the final third of the pitch. They should have taken a third minute lead but James Glancy, who captained the side, blazed his free from 13 metres harmlessly wide. That miss was soon forgotten as Ray Cox converted a free after a foul on James Glancy to give Leitrim a deserved early lead. Although the game was failing to burst into life, it was Leitrim who were looking the more inventive but were let down by wides from Conor Sheridan, Tomás Beirne and Conor Kelly. Leitrim were made to pay for their inability to make their dominance count on the scoreboard as Martin Reynolds converted a 17th minute free to level matters. To their credit, Leitrim responded well to losing the lead as Ray Cox converted his second free of the game after James Glancy was fouled. While Leitrim were enjoying more possession, Roscommon were also proving to be dangerous when the opportunity allowed. Wing-back Donal Ward was at the heart of most of Roscommon's attacks, but the home side were equally poor in front of goal. Martin Reynolds levelled matters three minutes before the interval with his second free of the game, but Leitrim responded strongly to finish the half with a two-point lead. Ray Mulvey was at the end of another good Leitrim passing move and this time the quality of passing was matched by the final shot to register the game's first score from play after 29 minutes of effort. Having unlocked the Roscommon defence, Leitrim wasted little time in doing so again. James Glancy did well to secure possession and he quickly laid the ball into the path of Barry Prior's surging run. Prior continued forward before slotting the ball between the uprights to give Leitrim a deserved 0-4 to 0-2 lead at the interval. The opening exchanges of the second half were high in effort but low in quality. In fact, the half was nine minutes old before either side troubled the umpires when Roscommon's Conor Devaney saw his effort deflected wide for a 45. The ensuing 45 was placed from Martin Reynolds sailed over McCrann's bar. Roscommon registered their first point from play 13 minutes after the restart when Kevin Higgins and Clann na nGael's Johnny Dunning combined to release Conor Devaney who applied a composed finish to level matters. With the wind at their backs, Roscommon continued to bring the game to Leitrim in a role reversal of the opening half and they took the lead for the first time when Kevin Higgins pointed with an excellent shot struck over his shoulder in the 47th minute. Both sides made changes with the hope of being able to get the upper hand in the closing stages. Leitrim were still enjoying the better of the midfield exchanges but were unable to build a platform for the forwards to capitalise upon. The introduction of Brian McDonald introduced a fresh impetus to the attack with his pace against tiring legs causing plenty of problems but again scores were proving hard to come by. After a Conor Devaney free extended Roscommon's lead to two points, Leitrim came back with renewed intent and eight minutes from the end Ray Cox converted a free to leave just a point between the sides. Two missed frees by Ray Cox (the first a bad miss) preceded wides from Leitrim team-mate Gary Reynolds (Leitrim) and Roscommon's Kevin Higgins. Martin Reynolds then converted a free in the first minute of injury time to leave two points between the teams. Only a goal would have been enough to salvage anything for Leitrim and they came agonisingly close to finding the Roscommon net in the dying stages. Daniel Beck and Ray Mulvey, linked up well in midfield and Mulvey lofted a dangerous ball towards the Roscommon goalmouth which was claimed by Brian McDonald near the end-line. Having done very well to claim possession of the ball, McDonald weaved through Roscommon challengers before shooting for goal. It seemed as though McDonald had done enough to secure victory for Leitrim but his shot cannoned off the upright and as the opportunity disappeared so too did Leitrim's chances of victory. LEITRIM: Cathal McCrann; Daniel Beck, Ronan Gallagher, Barry McWeeney; Gary Reynolds, John McKeon, Barry Prior (0-1); Tomas Beirne, Wayne McKeon; Ray Mulvey (0-1), Conor Sheridan, Fergal Clancy; Conor Kelly, James Glancy, Ray Cox (0-3). Subs: Brian McDonald for Kelly (46 mins), Paul Brennan for Clancy (50). ROSCOMMON: Mark Miley; Jason Carney, John Nolan, Sean McDermott; Conor Beirne, Niall Carty, Donal Ward; Martin Reynolds (0-4), Kevin Higgins (0-1); Fintan Cregg, Conor Devaney (0-2), Senan O'Grady; Terence Kelly, Johnny Dunning, Darragh Hussey. Subs: Michael Finneran for Hussey (44 mins), James Connaughton for O'Grady (51). REFEREE: Jerome Henry (Mayo).