Roscommon 1-14 v 0-24 Donegal
Donegal’s senior hurlers claimed a massively important win in their National Hurling League Division 2B campaign this afternoon.
Facing a tricky tie away from home at Dr Hyde Park, against a side tied with them on 3 points in a tight promotion race, Donegal established their dominance early and often.
Within the first 10 minutes, quick-fire scores from Ruarí Campbell, Conor Gartland, Brian McIntyre and two a piece for Gerry Gilmore and Oisin Grant left Roscommon flat-footed, and down 0-07 to 0-00.
However, Roscommon were able to gather themselves and began responding point-for-point with Donegal, clawing back scores to make it 0-11 to 0-06 in Donegal’s favour at the 25 minute mark, but with momentum starting to shift.
After a score from Donegal’s Conor O Grady, Roscommon continued their charge back with four consecutive points in the closing moments of the first half, leaving it 0-12 to 0-10, and things well in the balance.
A nightmare start to the second half for Donegal followed, Roscommon notching a point from James Hardiman before Brendan Mulry slotted home a goal, making it 1-11 to 0-12 in the home side’s favour after just two minutes.
A number of back-and-forth traded scores followed, Donegal lowering the gap to just 3 points as the game entered its final quarter, 1-13 to 0-13.
But the game carried another twist, as just 10 minutes into the half they started so well, Roscommon faltered – and Donegal hit the throttle pedal.
A duo of scores from frees from Gerry Gilmore, as well as two scores apiece from Liam McKinney, Daire O Maoilaidigh and Peter Kelly, with efforts from Jack O Loughlin & Luke White also going over the bar led to an astonishing 10 point run in a row from the Donegal men in the final 20 minutes.
Despite their early second-half scare, Donegal will now face London in Letterkenny next weekend to try and secure a strong finish in Division 2B.
