Armagh building up a head of steam

Roscommon 1-12 Armagh 1-17: Armagh were always in control in seeing off Roscommon's challenge at Dr Hyde Park in the third round of the football qualifiers this evening.

Leading by four points at the break, Paul Grimley’s men kept an improved Roscommon challenge at bay during the second half. Substitute Stefan Forker’s goal, with his first touch, in the 62nd minute sealed the deal to confirm the Orchard County’s place in the next round, where they will meet the losers of either the Ulster or Leinster finals.

Both sides were set up defensively in the opening half but the visitors coped much better, picking off Roscommon turnovers with some eye-catching scores. Diarmuid Murtagh opened the scoring for the home side from a free. Indeed Murtagh and Cathal Cregg would be the Rossies' only scorers from placed balls during the opening 35 minutes.

Armagh were moving more fluently, however, and scores from Tony Kiernan (three points), Stefan Campbell, defender Andy Mallon, Kyle Carragher, James Clarke and midfielder Aaron Findon gave them a 0-8 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Roscommon upped the ante on the resumption and Kevin Higgins scored their first point from play inside 20 seconds. But they could never get any closer as Armagh picked off scores on the counter attack.

Jamie Clarke showed his class with a couple of brilliant scores and substitute Aaron Kernan rarely put a foot wrong. Roscommon needed a goal but the green flag was raised at the other end when Forker fisted Kernan's delivery to the net.

Roscommon replied with a goal from substitute Ciaran Murtagh but Armagh were never in any danger of losing their place in the next round.

Scorers

Armagh - T Kiernan 0-4 (3f), J Clarke 0-4, S Forker 1-0, S Harold, K Carragher 0-2 each, A Mallon, A Findan, K Dyas, S Campbell, R Grugan 0-1 each.

Roscommon - D Murtagh 0-5 (4f), C Murtagh 1-0, C Cregg (1f), K Higgins, E Smith, C Daly, C Shine, S Kilbride, D Smith 0-1 each.

Armagh: P McEvoy; J Morgan, C Vernon, A Mallon; M Shields, B Donaghy, C McKeever; S Harold, A Findon; K Carragher, K Dyas, S Campbell; T Kiernan, A Forker, J Clarke. SUBS: E McVerry for A Forker (35), A Kernan for Campbell (45), R Grugan for T Kernan (59), S Forker for Carragher (62), F Moriarty for Shields (67).

Roscommon: D O'Malley; S McDermott, N Carty, N Collins; D Keenan, N Daly, C Cafferky; C Shine, K Higgins; C Daly, I Kilbride, E Smith; S Kilbride, C Cregg, D Murtagh. SUBS: D O'Gara for Cafferky (35), R Stack for I Kilbride (48), D Smith for E Smith (52), C Murtagh for Cregg (59), M Finneran for S Kilbride (65).

Referee: E Kinsella (Laois)