ROSSIES A THREAT IN SUPER 8S
Roscommon 2-22 Armagh 1-19
ROSCOMMON won one of the most open, attacking football games of the year to book their spot in the Super 8s in sweltering conditions in Portlaoise.
Enda Smith bagged two goals while Murtagh brothers Ciaran and Diarmuid hit six points each and Cathal Cregg was superb at fullforward with 0-3 on a very good day for the Rossies’ forwards.
Roscommon led 1-11 to 0-12 at the break with Smith scoring the first of his two goals after a smart through pass from Diarmuid Murtagh.
Andrew Murnin scored 0-4 from play, a couple of them of the highest quality, and he was ably backed up by Rory Grugan and Aidan Forker in a dangerous forward line.
Armagh needed to take every chance to stay with such free spirits but missed a 45th minute penalty when Rossies keeper Colm Lavin dived low to his right to block Grugan’s shot.
Roscommon cut loose a few times without success but finally nabbed the all-important second goal in stoppage time, Smith finding the energy to burst through once more and drilling an unstoppable shot past Blaine Hughes.