Finneran leads the way as Roscommon crush Carlow

A fine individual display comprising high fielding and pinpoint distribution by St Dominic's midfielder Michael Finneran, together with a classic 4th-minute goal, was the highlight of this otherwise one-sided and predictable Allianz FL meeting of Roscommon and Carlow. In a game played at a sparsely attended Dr. Hyde Park in blustery conditions, which later gave way to rain, on Sunday evening last, from an early stage the only issue that was in doubt was the size of Roscommon's winning margin. The Rossies experienced little difficulty in securing the two points on offer against a very disappointing Carlow outfit. To be fair to Luke Dempsey's charges, who held Wicklow to a draw in their Round 1 encounter at Dr. Cullen Park, their leading scorer Daniel St. Ledger received a controversial red card in that game which still sees him sidelined, while their International Rules star Brendan Murphy was also an absentee for their trip to 'the Hyde', having damaged ligaments in their reverse to Fermanagh. These losses, however, cannot totally explain Sunday's desperately anaemic display against a home squad who - despite being forced to line out minus top marksman Donal Shine (injured) and the St Brigid's brigade (who are playing in the All-Ireland club semi-final on Saturday) - proved far too good on the day. Indeed, but for kicking eight first-half wides when wind assisted, Roscommon would have held a much bigger lead than 1-9 to 0-4 at half-time. The Barrowsiders equated Roscommon's second-half points total (0-4 each) but a tremendous Colin Shine goal two minutes from the end sealed the home side's win and left Fergal O'Donnell's charges, still unbeaten, level on five points with Wicklow at the top of the table, but behind on score difference. With the big club semi-final in Limerick this Saturday, Roscommon's next league assignment is on Sunday March 13 v Fermanagh at Kiltoom, while the following two Sundays (20th and 27th) feature difficult away fixtures against Clare and Wicklow at Ennis and Aughrim respectively. These games will effectively determine Roscommon's prospects of a quick exit from Division 4, but more about this anon. Encouraging signs While the paucity of the opposition must be taken into account, there were many encouraging portents from a Roscommon point of view. 2006 All-Ireland minor goalie Mark Miley is rapidly emerging as a worthy contender and he produced another brave display, dealing capably with anything that came his way and picking up a hard knock in the 56th minute when saving an Alan Kelly effort. Sean McDermott made further claims to permanency in the corner-back berth, while Donal Ward and Stephen Ormsby were able to get on the scoresheet at the other end, though this is a luxury which may need to be curtailed against more potent attackers. The best tribute this reporter can pay to the half-back trio of Niall Carty, the every improving David Keenan and Sean Purcell is that the entire Carlow half-forward line was substituted before the end, having failed to raise a flag between them. The outstanding Michael Finneran has rarely played better in the middle of the park with a tremendous, all-action showing, while his colleague Kevin Higgins again showed his scoring attributes with three points form play, as well as dealing assiduously with his midfield duties. Once again, Cathal Shine, at full-forward, proved ball-winner and target-man par-excellence, selflessly laying off ball to his fellow attackers once again and crowning another capital display with that late cracking goal. Cathal Cregg covered every blade of grass, also getting on the scoresheet, while John Rogers showed that he is equally proficient from play as he is from placed balls and Jonathan Dunning, a late replacement for the injured Ger Heneghan, worked tirelessly to create scoring opportunities. Centre-forward David O'Gara, though not scoring, got through a substantial volume of work before being replaced in the last quarter, although Senan O'Grady, 'man of the match' against London, wasn't as prominent on this occasion. Early blitz For Carlow, still without a win, it's an uphill struggle. That opening Roscommon scoring blitz meant they were always playing catch-up. Their defence was constantly split open by the marauding Roscommon attack when wind-assisted in the first half, and only wayward shooting by the latter kept their interval deficit reasonably manageable. Luke Dempsey's men tried hard to get back on terms after the resumption, but has little success against a tenacious home rearguard, and they failed to score from the 56th minute to the end. Goalkeeper Trevor O'Reilly could do little about the shots that beat him and he produced a few smart saves which prevented an even heavier defeat, while Barry John Molloy, Alan Curran, Tommy Bolger and Paul Cashin, after a poor start, tried hard to come to terms with their opposing forwards. Thomas Walsh made a reasonable impact when moved to an ailing midfield while, in an attack which had little to offer and lacked penetration, JJ Smith and Alan Kelly were their only scorers. Smith's accuracy from frees brought his final total to 0-6, while his club-mate Kelly was on target with two second-half points, but it was never going to be enough to glean something from their long trip westwards. The large throng of election canvassers at the entrance to Hyde Park must have been disappointed at the size of the crowd, numbering no more than 500 hardy souls on a blustery afternoon. With a strong wind blowing into the town end, Roscommon took full advantage. An early Carlow salvo was capably dealt with Roscommon goalie Mark Miley, and Roscommon laid down a powerful marker in the fourth minute when John Rogers initiated an attack, which was continued by Cathal Cregg, before the in-rushing Michael Finneran unleashed an unstoppable shot to the Carlow net, leaving goalie Trevor O'Reilly helpless. This opened the Ros' scoring sluice gates and David O'Gara almost netted goal number two but the referee failed to apply an advantage when he was fouled. John Rogers pointed the resultant free and the Strokestown marksman promptly added another, after wing-back Sean Purcell was highly impressive in the build-up. Cathal Cregg pointed to compile an unanswered 1-3 and the small Carlow support had to wait over 12 minutes to see their side raise their first flag - a JJ Smith pointed free. Wayward Carlow passing conspired to deprive the Barrowsiders of possible scores, but another Smith free (17th minute) gave them some hope. Ironically, the opposite proved to be the case as another tranche of Roscommon scores ensued. A fisted Kevin Higgins point, followed by three more - courtesy of John Rogers, Higgins again (following a brilliant Michael Finneran through ball) and a superb long range effort by Finneran - stretched Roscommon's lead. Fifteen minutes had elapsed since Carlow's last score and it was JJ Smith (their only marksman to date) who added a further brace (32nd and 34th minutes), including his side's first from play. However, Roscommon ended the half on a high note when Cathal Cregg and Stephen Ormsby added another brace of points. Carlow boss Luke Dempsey obviously laid it on the line to his charges at the break. Ed Finnegan drew an early save from Mark Miley and with J.J. Smith (free) and Alan Kelly adding points, there were shoots of Carlow hope. The teams then swapped points - first Roscommon's Jonathan Dunning and Carlow's Alan Kelly, with Michael Finneran and JJ Smith (free) following suit. A probing centre from Carlow wing-back Alan Curran forced a fruitless '45' and the third quarter failed to produce the necessary Barrowside renaissance. Heavy rain then made an unwelcome appearance and with it or renewal of Roscommon's ascendancy and, as the now inevitable raft of replacements were introduced to the fray, Roscommon extended their lead with further points per Kevin Higgins and Donal Ward. And when substitute Fintan Cregg and Kevin Higgins combined for Cathal Shine to end the scoring with a smashing goal, it was game, set and match for Roscommon. ROSCOMMON: Mark Miley; Sean McDermott, Donal Ward (0-1), Stephen Ormsby (0-1); Niall Carty, David Keenan, Sean Purcell; Michael Finneran (1-2), Kevin Higgins (0-3); Senan O'Grady, David O'Gara, Cathal Cregg (0-2); John Rogers (0-3, 1f), Cathal Shine (1-0), Jonathan Dunning (0-1). Subs: Fintan Cregg for O'Gara (55), Conor Beirne for Ormsby (58), James Connaughton for O'Grady (65), Martin Reynolds for Dunning (66), James McKeague for Ward (69). CARLOW: Trevor O'Reilly; Barry John Molloy, Shane Redmond, Brendan Kavanagh; Alan Curran, Tony Bolger, Paul Cashin; Sean Gannon, Darragh Foley; Ed Finnegan, Patrick Hickey, Eoghan Ruth; JJ Smith (0-6, 5f), Alan Kelly (0-2), Thomas Walsh. Subs: Cormac Mullins for Finnegan (43), Willie Minchin for Hickey (55), Aidan Murphy for Curran (59), Ciaran Pender and Mark Carpenter for Ruth and Foley (66). REFEREE: Robert O'Donnell (Donegal).