EARLY RED CARD HELPS TO STEER DOWN PAST ROSSIES

DOWN claimed a crucial away win against 14-man Roscommon, to go top of Division 2. Ian Kilbride was sent off after 15 minutes for Roscommon and that helped Down to build a 0-9 to 0-3 half-time lead, and despite a bright start to the second-half, a missed Ciaráin Murtagh penalty after 47 minutes stalled the home team’s hopes of a comeback. Down had ten different scorers, with nine of those hitting the target from play. Even without the red card, Down were impressive early on as Barry O’Hagan and Niall Donnelly pointed to help them to a 0-6 to 0-0 lead. Roscommon did have a purple patch with three points in a row in as many minutes, but Colm Flanagan, O’Hagan and O’Hare put Down in control at the

break. A couple of Diarmuid Murtagh frees was followed by the penalty, but Ciaráin Murtagh saw his shot saved.

DOWN: M Reid; A Doherty, B McArdle (K Quinn 67), C Flanagan; D O’Hagan, N McParland, C Mooney; C Poland (D O’Hanlon 55), N Donnelly; S Millar, C Maginn, R Johnston; B O’Hagan (S McKibbin 55), D O’Hare (N Madine 64 BC), A Morgan.

Scorers: D O’Hare 0-3 (2f); B O’Hagan, C Mooney, N Donnelly, A Doherty (1’45), R Johnston, C Flanagan, D O’Hagan, D O’Hanlon (1f), N Madine 0-1.

ROSCOMMON: J Featherston; D Murray, J McManus, N McInerney; N Daly, F Lennon (C Daly 55), R Stack (S McDermott 62); E Smith (U Harney 68), I Kilbride; F Cregg (C Murtagh ht), N Kilroy (H Darcy 59), C Devaney; D Murtagh, C Lennon, C McKeon (D Smith 47).

Scorers: D Murtagh (2f), D Smith (1’45), C McKeon (2f) 0-2; C Devaney 0-1.

Referee: S Hurson (Tyrone).