NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO/Armagh 4-20 Roscommon 0-8:ARMAGH UNDERLINED they can still remain in the frame for promotion from Division Two when they went on a scoring blitz against a weak Roscommon side at Crossmaglen yesterday.
Armagh, stung by back-to-back defeats against Westmeath and Monaghan, got their campaign back on track in fine style and even by the halfway stage, when they led by 1-9 to 0-5, their dominance was pronounced.
And if Armagh prospered as a team, then Steven McDonnell had a field day, scoring 3-6, and emphasising his overall experience.
McDonnell's 11th-minute goal sent Armagh on their way and he pocketed two more after the break with substitute Brian Mallon providing the fourth as Roscommon's hopes were left in tatters.
Ciarán Toner and Gareth Swift imposed themselves at midfield for Armagh and the second half arrival of Francie Bellew and Oisín McConville into the fray underscored the fact manager Peter McDonnell will now have healthy options at his disposal as he ponders the must-win league games against Dublin, Meath and Cork.
Roscommon, restricted to just two points in the second half yesterday and even one of those came from a free, are now confronted by the spectre of relegation having garnered just one point to date with morale severely dented after yesterday's chastening experience.
ARMAGH: C McKinney; B Shannon, B Donaghy, F Moriarty; C McKeever (0-1), A O'Rourke, A Kernan (0-3, one free), K Toner, G Swift (0-1); S Kernan (0-1), M O'Rourke, P Courtney (0-1), S McDonnell (3-6, two frees) R Clarke (0-2), T Kernan (0-2), Subs: D Bellew for Moriarty (51 mins), E McConville (0-2) for T Kernan (55 mins), B Mallon (1-0) for Courtney 56 mins, D McKenna for Toner (61 mins), J Lavery (0-1) for O'Rourke (63 mins).
ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; P O'Connor, A McDermott, S McDermott; D O'Gara, E Kenny, D Keenan; K Mannion (0-1), M O'Carroll; G Cox (0-2), F Dolan (0-1, free), C Cregg; G Heneghan (0-2, frees), J Dunning, S Kilbride (0-2). Subs: M Murtagh for P O'Connor (half-time), M Finneran for Dunning (48 mins), D Flynn for A McDermott (56 mins), J Tiernan for S McDermott (66 mins), J Devenney for Henigan (68 mins).
Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).
They think it's all over . . . It is not
The fallout from Cork's player strike took another twist yesterday with the news Roscommon County Board have appealed Cork's participation in the National Football League.
The Competitions Control Committee (CCC) recently announced Cork would forfeit their league points after failing to fulfil the opening fixtures against Meath and Dublin.
However, Roscommon were incensed that they - and others in Division Two - were forced to play Cork. Roscommon lost their clash a fortnight ago.
Roscommon County Board secretary Séamus Maher yesterday confirmed they are set to pursue the matter.
"We had a county board meeting during the week, and delegates expressed real anger regarding the outcome of the Cork dispute," said Maher.
"We were mandated by delegates to pursue the matter. We have since sought clarification from the CCC of their decision regarding the ruling of the dispute, and based on their reply we believe the rules were not properly applied.
"Our action is not in any way against Cork, but against the system and procedures. We have appealed on the basis that Rules 136 and 116 were not properly applied in this instance."
The appeal will now be heard by another GAA committee - likely to be the Central Appeals Committee (CAC) - and it could result in the final standings in Division Two remaining in doubt even after all the regulation games have taken place.
Roscommon manager John Maughan has already been strongly critical of the scenario whereby Meath and Dublin get two points each without having to play against Cork.
