Eamon Flanagan strikes for goal this afternoon in Clontibret.

Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A

 MONAGHAN 0-14                          ROSCOMMON 1-19

Roscommon are just 70 minutes away from winning the Division 3A Allianz Hurling league title and securing promotion after an impressive ten-minute burst immediately after half-time left Monaghan with too much to do in this afternoon’s final round robin game at Clontibret O’Neill’s GAA club.

With a very strong breeze at their backs in the first half, Roscommon needed to put early scores on the board but struggled to do so, with both counties racking up a host of wides. At the midway point of the half, the score was just 0-3 to 0-1, with Roscommon “leading” the wide count 6-4, and while Seamus Qualter’s troops were enjoying more possession and getting a strong foothold defensively, Monaghan would have been quite content with that state of affairs.

Some good scores from Naos Connaughton, Eoin Fitzgerald, Eamon Flanagan and Mickey Joe Egan saw the scoreboard finally get moving, while Conor Mulry pounced on a spilled puckout from Monaghan corner back Cathal McAnespie to set up Brendan Mulry for a close range goal, but after establishing a commanding seven-point lead, Roscommon allowed Monaghan back into the tie before half-time.

Niall Arthur and Thomas Hughes found the target with some very impressive points, and a score of 1-10 to 0-8 at half-time felt quite even, given the strength of the wind that was set to favour the home side after half-time.

Roscommon produced their best hurling after the interval, with 19-year-old man of the match Paddy Fallon leading the way. The Oran youngster struck four of the first five points of the second half and delivered a wonderful pass that set up Mickey Joe Egan with a goal chance. The St. Dominic’s man wasn’t able to snaffle the opportunity, though he made up for it with an outstanding point from the right wing.

Inaccuracy continued to plague Monaghan even as the winners let the tempo of their play drop somewhat, while solid defensive work from players like Mark Ward, Conor Cosgrove, Darragh Finn and Eamon Mulry also helped the Rossies to keep their opponents at bay, ensuring a top of the table finish and a league final against either Armagh or today’s opponents in a fortnight’s time.

For a full report, details and analysis from this game, be sure to check out next Tuesday’s Roscommon Herald.