Connacht SFC Roscommon 0-12, London 1-8: Despite probably producing their best performance in 30 years participating in the Connacht championship, London were pipped at the post in a pulsating quarter-final at Ruislip yesterday.
Unrecognisable from the side who finished bottom of the National League, London pushed Roscommon to the limits and in the final minute only the woodwork prevented them from recording an historic win.
Faster, fitter and displaying better team-work, London went into the break two points ahead, thanks to a fine 12th-minute goal by Shane McInerney after a well-judged free-kick by man of the match, midfielder Senan Hehir.
And with defence and attack benefiting from the centrefield dominance of Hehir and Eamon Brennan, Roscommon were on the receiving end for long periods.
Roscommon's breakthrough came soon after the changeover when Stephen Lohan and Ger Henighan sent over the points that tied the scores and once Michael Finneran had given them the lead for the first time, the visitors looked a transformed side.
Taking full advantage of a steady supply of the ball, the home forwards led by Paddy Quinn, Barry Solan and Scott Doran, created problems for the visitors' defence.
Such was London's monopoly of the ball they should have had more to show for their efforts.
But this performance could well prove to be the forerunner of bigger things.
Damian McKenna, Johnny Niblock and James Rafter were the key figures in a defence that gained in confidence as the game progressed.
Lohan, Henighan, Conor Beirne, David Casey, and Michael Ryan were the pick of a Roscommon side who may need to improve before taking on Mayo in the Connacht semi-final on June 19th.
ROSCOMMON: S Curran; B McNeela, C Beirne, J Rodgers; M Ryan D Casey, F Grehan; S O'Neill (0-1), M Finneran (0-1); N Kenny (0-2), S Lohan (0-3), K Mannion; G Cox, N Dineen, G Henighan (0-5, 4 frees). Subs: S McDermott for C Byrne J Dunning for E Kenny; J White for F Grehan; J Egan for N Dineen.
LONDON: P O'Dowd; P Callaghan, D McKenna, J Rafter; J Niblock, J McKevitt, P McConigley; S Hehir, E Brennan (0-1); P Quinn (0-1), P Hehir, P Quirke; S Doran, J McInerney (1-0), B Solan (0-5, four frees). Subs: J Coffey (0-1) for P Quirke. V O'Sullivan for P Callaghan
Referee: S McCormack (Meath).
