Late points see off rivals as Ros' stay unbeaten

With promotion to Division 3 of the National Football League already secured, there was little at stake for Roscommon as they raced onto Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday afternoon last for this Division 4 final round clash with neighbours Leitrim. Nonetheless it is an unwritten axiom that, where these keenest of rivals are concerned, the annexation of victory is all important in every encounter, regardless of its ultimate status. Furthermore, should Roscommon and Leitrim both successfully negotiate their upcoming Connacht SFC quarter-finals against New York and Sligo respectively, a mouthwatering semi-final meeting looms at Páirc Seán, Carrick-on-Shannon, on Sunday, June 12. Thus, and although the two points on offer on Sunday last were only of academic nature to them, Mickey Moran's Leitrim would relish nothing better than to secure a win over their old nemesis, and on Dr. Hyde Park territory at that, in this latest local derby before an estimated 300 spectators. While much of the exchanges decidedly lacked the white heat of championship fervour, both teams managements had obviously upcoming encounters in mind as they vetted the performances of their respective charges. There were plenty of reasons for Roscommon manager Fergal O'Donnell to be satisfied. Foremost among these was the expertise and unerring marksmanship of corner-forward Senan Kilbride, the St Brigid's star registering a first-half total of 5 points, 4 of those from frees. The intrepid defensive play of corner-back Stephen Ormsby also stood out, the St Faithleach's defender turning in another impeccable performance including some by now typical forward forays. The return to something like his best form of the Kilbride midfield favourite Seamus O'Neill (until his 48th minute withdrawal), including a trademark point from the centre of the park, was also a boost for Roscommon. Another top-of-the range goalkeeping exhibition by Geoffrey Claffey, whose dealing with a variety of shots of both low and high trajectory exuded confidence in a net-minder right up there with the best in the current game. The eager-beaver Conor Devanney, who though sited at centre-forward, covered almost every blade of the vast Hyde arena. Displaying an awesome work-rate, he still found time to loft over four excellent points, bearing further testament to the terrific overall talent of the Kilbride prodigy. There was also the continued improvement in form of midfielder Kevin Higgins, the Western Gaels dynamo maintaining his remarkable record of scoring in every game; his 47th minute goal coming at a time where Leitrim had forged ahead by 0-12 to 0-10. On the other hand, Derry native Mickey Moran also came away from Roscommon headquarters with many positives for his Leitrim charges, none more so than midfielder Daniel Lowe, whose superlative second-half showing came within an ace of swinging the game in his side's favour. The returned-from-injury Emlyn Mulligan emerged as the game's leading scorer with 7 points, 6 of them from frees, and corner forward Adrian Croal (remember his 2-2 against St. Brigid's in the Connacht Club semi-final) landed 3 points from play. In defence, Mohill's Ronan Gallagher (who didn't confine his activities solely to the fringe of the square, often venturing deep into attack), Dermot Reynolds and Wayne McKeon can also be pleased with their contributions on a perfect day for football. Notwithstanding the individual displays referred to above, there was a distinct end of the league season feeling permeating proceedings in the opening quarter, at the end of which the sides were tied at 0-4 each. Conor Devanney's 12th-minute point was noteworthy as, directly from Geoffrey Claffey's wind assisted kick-out, the ball came to the Kilbride player lurking behind the unsuspecting Leitrim rearguard and his powerful shot just grazed the crossbar as it shot over. A remarkable bout of supremacy from the 19th to 25th minutes, which realised 5 unanswered Roscommon points (Senan Kilbride registering 3 of them) seemed to signal the home team seizing the initiative, but Leitrim finished the half strongly with 4 of their own to trail by only 1 point (0-9 to 0-8) at half-time. Senan Kilbride placed Conor Devanney for a prompt Roscommon point on the resumption, but another rapid Leitrim riposte produced 4 further points to give them a 2-point (0-12 to 0-10) lead on 44 minutes. However, a brilliant Devanney-Kilbride-Higgins move saw the Western Gaels midfielder solo through for a stunning goal and the lead again. Scores were evenly divided for the greater part of the last quarter with Leitrim (per Emlyn Mulligan-free) levelling the match late on. And so it stayed until the closing minutes. But a late, late Roscommon spurt yielded a brace of points for sub Enda Kenny and Conor Devanney, and, with it, goodbye to Division 4 on a winning note. Roscommon will now meet Longford in the Division 4 Final in Croke Park, Saturday, April 23. SCORERS - Roscommon: S Kilbride (0-5, 4f), C Devanney (0-4), K Higgins (1-1), M Reynolds (0-1), S O'Neill (0-1), D Shine (0-1), E Kenny (0-1). Leitrim: Emlyn Mulligan (0-7, 6f), A Croal (0-3), C Beirne (0-2, 1f), C Sheridan (0-1), D Lowe (0-1), T Beirne (0-1). ROSCOMMON: Geoffrey Claffey, Niall Carty, Ronan Brady, Stephen Ormsby, Sean Purcell, Cathal Dineen, James McKeague, Seamus O'Neill, Kevin Higgins, Martin Reynolds, Conor Devanney, Cathal Cregg, Senan Kilbride, Karol Mannion and Donal Shine. Subs: Donal Ward for Brady (44); Ian Kilbride for Dineen (46); Enda Kenny for O'Neill (48); Michael Finneran for Mannion (55); John Rogers for S Kilbride (63). LEITRIM: Philip Farrelly, Dermot Reynolds, Ronan Gallagher, Paddy Maguire, Barry Prior, Gary Reynolds, Wayne McKeon, Tomas Beirne, Daniel Lowe, Conor Sheridan, Emlyn Mulligan, Robert Lowe, Conor Beirne, James Glancy (capt) and Adrian Croal. Subs: Dermot Reynolds for R Lowe (63); Paddy McGowan and Conor Kelly for Sheridan and Croal (double sub, 64). REFEREE: Michael Meade (Limerick).