NFL DIVISION THREE:Down 0-17 Roscommon 0-15
A MUCH-IMPROVED second-half performance gave Down a two-point victory in an open, entertaining match at Hyde Park.
The result clinched promotion and a place in the Division Three final for Ross Carr’s team who ended the campaign top of the table. The result also meant Roscommon retained their Division Three status on scoring average.
With full-forward Senan Kilbride proving an effective target man, Roscommon led 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time but six wides in a 15-minute spell either side of half-time proved costly to their hopes.
Down were much more clinical after the interval. Conor Garvey moved from centre-back to curb the threat of Kilbride and they began to win the breaks around midfield. Early points from Aidan Carr and Benny Coulter gave them a lead they never lost.
John Fegan and John Boyle stretched the lead to three points by the 46th minute. Down now go on to meet Tipperary in the divisional decider.
DOWN:B McVeigh; C McGovern (0-1), A Carr (0-3, one free, one 45), L Howard; D Rafferty, C Garvey, D Rooney (0-1); P Fitzpatrick, S Kearney (0-1); B McArdle, J Boyle (0-1), D Hughes (0-3); B Coulter (0-2), R Murtagh, P McCumiskey (0-4, one free). Subs: J Fegan (0-1) for McArdle (15 mins), P Murphy for Fitzpatrick (48 mins), C Maginn for Murtagh (53 mins), J O'Reilly for Boyle (70 mins).
ROSCOMMON:G Claffey; P Domican, J Nolan, P Duignan; D Casey, D Flynn, D Keenan (0-1); B Higgins (0-1), K Mannion (0-1); D O'Gara, G Cox (0-1), S McDermott (0-1); F Cregg, S Kilbride (0-5, three frees), D Shine (0-4, three frees, one 45). Subs: M Finneran for O'Gara (45 mins), K Higgins (0-1) for Cox (65 mins), S Purcell for Casey (69 mins).
Referee:R O'Donnell (Donegal).
