Roscommon 1-11 GMIT 2-8:DES NEWTON needed an injury-time free from John Rogers to avoid defeat in his first match as Roscommon manager in Ballyforan. A second-half comeback, led by GMIT's Johnny Ryan, turned a four-point half-time deficit into a two-point lead, before Ger Heneghan and Rogers hit late points to salvage a draw.

Roscommon’s Colin Compton blasted to the net eight minutes in and as they led 1-7 to 1-3 at half-time. Diarmuid Cronin struck GMIT’s goal seven minutes before the break, but Kevin Higgins hit two points to give Roscommon the lead. Ryan dispatched a 53rd-minute penalty and added a free before Roscommon’s fightback.

SCORERS – Roscommon: C Compton (1-1),K Higgins (0-4); J Rogers (0-3, 0-2 frees), D O’Gara, B Murtagh, C Devaney, G Heneghan (0-1 each). GMIT: J Ryan (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-2 45s), D Cronin (1-0), A Walsh (0-2, frees), D Clabby (0-1),

Referee: J Henry (Mayo).