real smash and grab, to be honest it didn't look likely after the penalty and Timmons black card. we had been poor for a lot of the second half but had hung in their with ross getting a few scores. Roscommon have themselves to blame trying to play down the clock instead of going for it with the extra man. Evan's goal started the comeback but also caused them to panic. He was having one of those days where he could miss a free, kick a point from the corner ,then lob one into the keeper and then kick a 45 and unforgivingly miss a one on one with the keeper. He has having a good tussle with the full back but spent as much time falling on the ground as he was standing up but probably didn't get half the frees he deserved. Maybe due to the battle he was having, was that he just let fly when the goal dropped in on him. it was some goal, a rocket. somehow we were back in the game and evan won the free on the half forward line for the second goal. After a conversation with the ref, ross took the free and screwed it in. in the middle of the bodies Lillis got it and lashed it into the corner and that was that.
We started well but missed three easy options before they scored from paly. it went toe to toe after that, we didn't commit many forward at times and kept them guessing changing our shape in the forwards. We really worked the mark well and one pre planned move saw lillis switch in, and immediately a ball was pinged into his chest and a good score from a mark. We made a lot of silly mistakes and they scored from a few. they sucked us in with the defense playing a very high line and a ball in behind saw smith score a goal. from the stand you could see it about to happen. They were far more aggressive in the second half and had the majority of possession. Their goal came from another mistake, lillis didn't hold a kick out and they broke fast through the centre, healy who had come on, was caught in two minds and didn't get the through ball and Timmons gambled on the tackle and got the black card. we didn't create a whole a lot until the last five minutes. Solid performance and good heart shown. Corbett didn't do a whole lot wrong and went on a solo run that brought him into the other half. backs in general were ok. Collins and o Flynn I thought were ok, hanrahan probably drew the short straw with their best forward. As usual the two midfielders did a lot of work, JOL got a right belt in the head and sat more in the holding role with Lillis bombing forward. He kicked some lovely scores. Byrne switched in and out of the area. Forwards were a mixed bag, Keogh got a nice score but appears very one sided, Barry handled a lot of ball and could be a good link man and murphy couldn't really get into it. Their were a number of subs with Ross kicking a few frees, it was great to see Healy back but he has a good bit to go and you would have to question his introduction. He ended up getting booked for a free and I thought he should have got to the ball for the goal but hopefully with improved fitness he will get better. Another tough game with ARMAGH NEXT WEEK.
