DUBS GET FIRST WIN AT CROKER
Dublin 1-19 Roscommon 1-12
CON O’CALLAGHAN tore Roscommon asunder as Dublin grabbed their first points of the National League campaign.
Beaten by Monaghan and Mayo in the opening rounds, the All-ireland champions simply had to win to avoid being sucked into a relegation battle.
O’callaghan wore the captain’s armband in the absence of James Mccarthy and enjoyed the responsibility. He struck seven points, five of those from open play while the others were from a free that he won himself and an advanced mark.
Dublin were only 0-8 to 0-7 ahead at half-time but turned on the afterburners to leave Roscommon still chasing their first win. But the visitors were unfortunate that the excellent Daire Cregg, fresh off his Sigerson Cup final heroics midweek, wasn’t awarded a 17th minute goal.
His hand-pass was deflected into the Dublin net (below) but referee Sean Hurson didn’t see the deflection off Sean Macmahon and awarded a free out.
The Blues summoned their best form after the break. Take out an Enda Smith goal against the run of play late on and they won the second half 1-11 to 0-5.
Ross Mcgarry struck back-to-back points, O’callaghan nailed a score and Niall Scully netted to open up a seven-point lead (above). Lorcan O’dell came on and struck a score while former All-star Brian Howard made his seasonal return as a sub. DUBLIN: D O’hanlon (0-1f); T Clancy, E Murchan, S Macmahon; L Gannon (0-1), J Small (0-1), C Murphy; B Fenton (0-2), P O Cofaigh Byrne; R Mcgarry (0-3), S Bugler (0-1), C Kilkenny (0-2); C Costello, C O’callaghan (0-7, 1f, 1m), P Small. Subs: S Lowry for Costello 8, N Scully (1-0) for Costello 47, L O’dell (0-1) for P Small 50, G Mceneaney for J Small 55, B Howard for O Cofaigh Byrne 62, K Mcginnis for Mcgarry 71. ROSCOMMON: C Carroll; D Murray, B Stack, N Higgins; C Hussey, E Flynn, E Mccormack; S Cunnane, R Fallon (0-1); D Cregg (0-4, 1m, 1f), D Ruane, E Smith (1-2); J Fitzpatrick (0-1), D Murtagh (0-3), C Lennon. C Heneghan for Fitzpatrick 50, R Dolan for Hussey 50, C Cox (0-1) for Lennon 55, A Mcdermott for Ruane 62, L Glennon for Higgins 67.
S Hurson (Tyrone).