Roche strikes late to relegate the Rossies
THE PROSPECTS of securing promotion to Division 2 of the Allianz Football League were strengthened considerably in Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday, March 28, when Shane Roche struck for an injury time goal to relegate Roscommon to the bottom rung of the ladder on a 1-12 to 1-9 scoreline.
The fine line between victory and defeat was clearly underlined in a tense finish, as Wexford’s bid for an escape from the third tier looked in danger of falling apart with just over five minutes of normal time remaining.
They were leading by 0-11 to 0-9 when Donie Shine curled in a free off the ground from the left. Anthony Masterson could only parry it in an attempt to make a difficult catch at crossbar level, and substitute Cathal McHugh was on hand to direct the rebound to the net.
The setback spurred Wexford into an even more determined effort, with lively substitute P.J. Banville offering an extra outlet up front.
Shane Roche kicked the equaliser from a free after Adrian Flynn was brought down, and there was more - and better - to come.
Wexford committed men to attack as it was clear that Roscommon were vulnerable, and full-back Joey Wadding was surrounded by three opponents some 30 yards out.
His pick-up was deemed legal by Sligo referee Michael Duffy, even though the defenders surrounding him thought otherwise.
Brian Malone had ghosted unmarked into the right corner-forward position and, when Wadding put him through with a handpass, he unselfishly looked across goal, picking out current selector and coach Shane Roche who palmed the ball to the net for a dramatic winner.
If Wexford enjoyed the rub of the green with that call from the man in the middle, maybe it was poetic justice as 13 minutes earlier he had ruled out a goal when Brendan Doyle fisted a Ciarán Lyng free from the right to the net.
While the visitors had first use of the wind, they didn’t play particularly well and deserved to be 0-7 to 0-6 in arrears at the break.
The experienced Colm Morris came in for hamstring victim Ciarán Deely and roamed far and wide, while P.J. Banville’s later arrival seemed to spark fear in the Roscommon backs and lifted his own colleagues in equal measure.
Wexford: Anthony Masterson; Damien Carter, Joey Wadding, Niall Murphy; Brian Malone, David Murphy (capt.), Aindréas Doyle; Eric Bradley, Brendan Doyle (0-1); Ciarán Deely (0-1), Ciarán Lyng (0-2, 1 free), Adrian Flynn (0-2); Patrick Naughter, Shane Roche (1-3, 0-3 frees), Redmond Barry (0-2). Subs. - Colm Morris (0-1) for Deely, inj. (HT), P.J. Banville for Naughter (49).