Roscommon - 0-14, Leitrim - 0-9

Roscommon and Leitrim gave those hardy supporters who braved the elements plenty to enthuse about at rain-lashed Kilmore yesterday.

In a game of contrasting styles, Roscommon's greater emphasis on the long-range kick harvested more scores, while Leitrim's overreliance on the fisted pass resulted in good approach work failing to an alert Roscommon defence.

However, it is to the credit of both teams that despite the awful weather the traditional commitment and passion always evident when these teams meet ensured an entertaining hour of football.

The Leitrim men started well with Gene Bohan opening their account with a pointed free in the fourth minute, followed immediately by a second from play. Feargal O'Donnell scored first for Roscommon in the eighth minute; but a succession of pointed frees fromn sharp-shooter Lorcan Dowd gave Roscommon a narrow 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the interval.

Two more Roscommon points on the resumption, from Dowd and Vinnie Glennon, were replied to by Bohan and Colin Regan; but a Vinnie Glennon point from play in the 38th minute extended the Roscommon lead.

Leitrim pressure finally paid off when Bohan punished the Roscommon defence with three pointed frees between the 40th and 45th minutes to give the visitors the lead for the first time. But the strong Roscommon team, adapting better to the deteriorating conditions, secured victory with a succession of excellent long-range points.

Roscommon: B Morkan; D Gavin, R Doorey, M Kelly; K Heneghan, E Gavin, C McDonald; G Keane, A Nolan; D Duggan (0-1), V Glennon (0-2), T Ryan; L Dowd (0-6), F O'Donnell (0-1), E Lohan (0-2). Subs: J Neary (0-1) for T Ryan; A Carbery for M Kelly; F Grehan (0-1) for L Dowd.

Leitrim: G Phelan; K Murray, A Charles, D Kelleher; C Regan (0-1), G Holohan, S McGettigan; A Cullen, R Logan; P McLoughlin, A Rooney, G Foley; F McBrien (0-1), C Carroll, G Bohan (0-7). Subs: P Davitt for G Holohan; S Quinn for C Carroll.

Referee: M Daly (Mayo).