Roscommon get past Cavan to clinch third place

Goals from Diarmuid Murtagh, Brian Stack and Enda Smith helped Roscommon overcome Cavan in a shootout and reach this year’s All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

In what was a hugely entertaining contest played in front of a crowd of 3,962, the Rossies’ ability to get goals at crucial times was the difference in sending a gutsy Cavan side out of the championship.

Both sides looked capable of scoring when they attacked during what was a free-flowing opening half.

The sides were level at 0-04 apiece after 13 minutes. Diarmuid Murtagh (2), Conor Cox (free) and Enda Smith were on target for Davy Burke’s men, while Cormac O’Reilly, Gerard Smith, Oisín Kiernan and James Smith split the posts for Cavan.

Rapid-fire scores from Diarmuid Murtagh, Shane Cunnane and Daire Cregg pushed Roscommon back in front before Ryan O’Neill pared back the margin to just two points.

The crucial score of the half arrived in the 21st minute when Diarmuid Murtagh’s effort for a point crept in under the head of Cavan goalkeeper, Gary O’Rourke, and into the net.

The sides continued to trade scores, with Ultan Harney, Daire Cregg, Diarmuid Murtagh, with an audacious free with the outside of his left foot, and Donie Smith finding the target for the “Primrose and Blue”.

But Cavan remained in touch with points from O’Rourke, a ’45, after Roscommon goalkeeper Conor Carroll denied Jason McLoughlin, Cian Madden, Oisín Brady (free) and a brace by the excellent Smith to trail by 1-11 to 0-10 at the break.

Roscommon missed a few chances at the start of the second half to leave Cavan in the game. But Enda Smith took responsibility to puncture a huge hole through the opposition’s defence and square possession for Brian Stack to palm into the net to give the Rossies a 2-11 to 0-12 lead after 40 minutes.

Both sides continues to kick points for fun, but Cavan were right back in it when substitute Dara McVeety fastened himself to Luke Fortune’s crossfield pass to direct the ball beyond Carroll.

There was only one point in it, 2-15 to 1-17, but Enda Smith’s goal soon afterwards finally snapped Cavan’s resistance.

Ciarán Lennon and Andrew Glennon kicked points for Roscommon after being introduced, while Player of the Match Murtagh brought his tally to 1-06 for the evening as the Rossies cemented their place in next weekend’s All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final.

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Niall Higgins, Ruaidhrí Fallon, Robbie Dolan; David Murray, Brian Stack (1-00), Eoin McCormack; Dylan Ruane, Shane Cunnane (0-01); Daire Cregg (0-04, one mark), Diarmuid Murtagh (1-06, 0-02 frees), Enda Smith (1-01); Conor Cox (0-04, 0-01 free, 0-01 mark), Ultan Harney (0-01), Donie Smith (0-01).

Subs: Ronan Daly for Ruane (40), Ciarán Lennon (0-01) for Harney (45), Andrew Glennon (0-01) for Donie Smith (53), Niall Daly for Dolan (62), Adam McDermott for Diarmuid Murtagh (65).

Cavan: Gary O’Rourke (0-01, 0-01 ’45); Luke Fortune, Brian O’Connell, Jason McLoughlin; Padraig Faulkner, Niall Carolan, Oisín Kiernan (0-01); Ciarán Brady, Ryan Donohoe; Ryan O’Neill (0-01), Cian Madden (0-01), Gerard Smith (0-05); Oisín Brady (0-03, 0-03f), James Smith (0-01), Cormac O’Reilly (0-04).

Subs: Tiarnan Madden for Donohoe (23), Darragh Lovett (0-02, 0-01 mark) for O’Neill (half-time), Dare McVeety (1-00) for Kiernan (49), Conor Madden (0-01) for Cian Madden (53), Oisín Kiernan for Faulkner (55).

Referee: David Gough (Meath).