Consistency will be vital, says McStay

ROSCOMMON manager Kevin McStay praised his men for staging a remarkable recovery as they snatched victory by scoring 1-5 without reply in the closing minutes of this Semple Stadium clash. However, he warned they have huge room for improvement after again having to come from behind to get a result, having salvaged a draw at home to Meath last week. ‘We have a home match coming next but equally we have to build on it. If we don’t get something out of next week’s game then this game doesn’t count for a whole lot. That’s the pressure of week-on-week football,’ he said. Tipperary led by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break after Conor Sweeney converted a 20th minute penalty to tie the match. A second goal from a penalty by Sweeney helped push Tipp ahead by double scores five minutes after the restart. And when Roscommon briefly responded, the Premier County pulled away again with a superb goal from Michael Quinlivan. But Roscommon staged a dramatic finish with Conor Devaney edging them in front in stoppage time and sub Donie Smith closing the deal. TIPPERARY: E Comerford; S O’Connell, J Meagher, A Campbell; B Maher, R Kiely, J Feehan; L Casey (G Hannigan 67), S O’Brien; J Keane, J Kennedy (K Fahey 62), B Fox; C Sweeney, M Quinlivan, L McGrath (L Boland 57). Scorers: C Sweeney 2-4 (2-0 pen, 0-2f); M Quinlivan 1-0; L McGrath 0-2 (1f); L Casey, J Kennedy (1f), L Boland 0-1. ROSCOMMON: C Lavin; D Murray, J McManus, N McInerney; F Lennon (R Daly 65), S Mullooly (Finbar Cregg 46), C Devaney; T O’Rourke (I Kilbride 55), E Smith (C Daly 60); N Daly, N Kilroy, Fintan Cregg (B Stack 31); D Murtagh, C Lennon, C Murtagh (D Smith 53). Scorers: D Murtagh 1-4 (0-3f); C Murtagh 0-3 (3f); N Kilroy, D Smith (1 s/l), C Devaney 0-2; F Lennon, Fintan Cregg, N Daly, C Lennon 0-1. Referee: N Mooney (Cavan).