Roscommon 0-16 Offaly 0-7:ROSCOMMON got their league campaign off a good start with a facile win over a disappointing Offaly side at Kiltoom yesterday.
Despite playing with the strong wind in the first half, Offaly failed to score until the 23rd minute. Ger Heneghan, Senan Kilbride, Conor Devaney, Gary Cox and Heneghan all scored before Ruairi Allen kicked the visitors’ opening point.
PJ Ward reduced the gap to three points after 26 minutes, but Roscommon finished the half strongly with points by Kilbride and Brian Higgins.
Heneghan increased the lead to six points from a 38th-minute free and Roscommon were never in any danger as points from Kilbride (a free) and Seán Purcell stretched the lead to eight points by the 46th minute. Damien Keenehan capped an impressive individual display with two points in the last quarter.
ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; P Gleeson, J Nolan, P Domican; S McDermott, D Casey, S Purcell (0-1); B Higgins (0-1), K Mannion (0-1); G Cox (0-2), D Keenehan (0-2), C Devaney (0-1); F Cregg, S Kilbride (0-4, two frees), G Heneghan (0-4, all frees). Subs: K Higgins for Cregg (45 mins), M Duignan for Kilbride (58 mins), S O’Neill for B Higgins (60 mins), D Connellan for Devaney (63 mins), D Keenan for Purcell (67 mins).
OFFALY: A Mulhall; C Evans, C McManus, K Slattery; B Darby, J Quinn, M Mitchell; C Egan, N Smith; N Darby (0-2), G Rafferty, R Allen (0-1); PJ Ward (0-2, one free), B Connor, K Casey. Subs: R Guinan (0-2) for Ward (45 mins), J Coughlan for Rafferty (40 mins).
Referee: J White (Donegal).
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