Roscommon look to bench for victory

THREE points in the final ten minutes from substitute Cathal Cregg ensured Roscommon left Newry with the points last night.

Fourteen-man Down fought back from six points down to close to within a point before the Rossies’ bench secured a first victory in Division 2.

The visitors scored an unanswered 1-4 in the second quarter to lead by 1-9 to 0-6 at the interval.

Diarmuid Murtagh’s goal could not have come at a better stage, his well-controlled finish from Senan Kilbride’s pass coming just on the stroke of half time.

Down briefly regained the lead, sub Jerome Johnston with two points, before the visitors took control. Roscommon stretched their lead out to 1-11 to 0-8 but Arthur McConville got Down back into it with a palmed goal in the 46th minute.

Both sides lost their discipline and Down were reduced to 14 men when Luke Howard was sent off for a second yellow.

Down trailed by 1-11 to 1-10 with ten minutes to go.

Despite having an extra man, Roscommon failed to score for 20 minutes until subs Cregg and Donie Smith relieved the pressure.