Ros’ ladies on brink of promotion after latest win

Roscommon 1-10 Wexford 0-8

By Ivan Smyth

Roscommon took a huge step closer towards an immediate return to Division 2 football as a late surge saw them come through this tense, low scoring affair in Elphin last Sunday.

Ollie Lennon’s side outscored Wexford 1-3 to 0-1 in the final 10 minutes of this contest to move from parity at 0-7 apiece to five-point winners. After a poor third quarter, Roscommon managed to find a way through as their runners from deep penetrated a tired Wexford defence late on.

Roscommon joint top of the table alongside Clare and four points ahead of Down who reside in third place. With the top two teams securing promotion and a league final spot, a win against Offaly next weekend will ensure Roscommon play Division 2 football in 2025.

Another talking point was that this game was delayed due to referee Ciarán Groome turning up at the wrong venue. The Offaly réiteoir travelled to the St Brigid’s GAA grounds in Kiltoom only to discover the game had been relocated to Elphin. This meant the game was pushed back to 1.45pm but Groome showed up just over half an hour after the scheduled throw-in with the game commencing at 1.35pm.

Roscommon’s character shone through in the final moments as they ground out the win with Laura Fleming kicking two fine scores from play down the stretch. Meanwhile, Kate Nolan who relocated to the inside full forward line from midfield in the second half, took her goal with aplomb in the 55th minute as an Helena Cummins kickout beat the Wexford press before Lisa O’Rourke teed up the St. Brigid’s clubwoman to slot home.

That moved Roscommon four ahead before Fleming kicked her sixth point of the day to seal a vital victory. On a day with little flowing football, Roscommon’s ability to dig deep should stand them in good stead going forward.

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This was expected to be a game where defences were on top. That is what transpired as these sides enjoyed the two best defensive records in Division 3 prior to throw in. Wexford are the league’s lowest scorers after five rounds of action and appeared blunt in attack as they repeatedly ran out of ideas in the Roscommon ’45.

Ollie Lennon’s side were without dangerous full forward Aisling Shanagher with Aoife Gavin and Aisling Hanly forming a two player full forward line. Judy McDermott dropped deep to help the defence With Wexford seeing Caoilfhinn Ní Nualláin and Chloe Fox forming a two player inside attack. Aisling MacAuliffe operated as a spare player in defence as Roscommon were well equipped defensively while Wexford also regularly placed 13 players behind the ball when out of possession.

Despite the delay in throw in and the altered preparations, both sides traded blows early in the fast paced opening exchanges. Caoilfhinn Ní Nualláin curled over after 45 seconds for Wexford before Roscommon hit back when Aisling Hanly slotted over off her trusty left boot after two minutes.

Despite Kate Nolan’s sin binning for a high challenge on Wexford defender Loren Doyle. Roscommon outscored their opponents’ 0-2 to 0-1 in the next 10 minutes as Wexford looked devoid of ideas in possession.

Roscommon goalkeeper Helena Cummins made vital interventions in the first half to keep her side in front. In the 24th minute, Ciara Banville and Fox combined to set up Aoife Cullen with Cummins getting down low to deny the half forward. Less than 60 seconds later, Fox cut in from the left wing with surprising ease before firing straight at Cummins.

Meanwhile, Wexford counter attacked on the half hour mark as Ní Nualláin set Banville away with a two on one and acres of space in the Roscommon defence. Banville drew the final defender before offloading to Fox. However, Cummins came out and narrowed the angle before the Wexford forward stumbled and lost possession over the end line under pressure from the retreating Roscommon defence.

Four Laura Fleming frees helped Roscommon lead 0-5 to 0-3 at the interval with Aoife Cullen kicking a pair of placed balls for the Leinster side. The third quarter saw both outfits spurn chances with Roscommon’s first three shots on goal dropping short while Wexford kicked two wides and dropped an effort into Cummins’ hands before opening their account.

The third quarter was a tough watch at times as Wexford change to a three player full forward line of Fox, sub Kellie Kearney and Ní Nualláin. However, their half forward line dropped extremely deep meaning the trio were often isolated.

Despite this, Roscommon continued to cough possession up cheaply as Ní Nualláin and Amanda Power tied the game. Judy McDermott ended an almost 50 minute scoreless spell from play for Roscommon while Lauren Shanagher restored her side’s two point advantage. Despite Wexford equalising the contest once more, Roscommon’s late flurry moved them on the cusp of promotion.

Player of the match: Roscommon goalkeeper Helena Cummins produced three important interventions during the opening half to help her side keep a clean sheet and Cummins’ heroics paved the way for her side’s victory. Laura Fleming stood up in key moments and kicked two fine points from play late in the contest to help Roscommon move out of reach. Rachel Fitzmaurice and Judy McDermott made important second-half contributions. For Wexford, Caoilfhinn Ní Nualláin, Sarah Harding Kenny and Amanda Power all battled gamely.

Scorers – Roscommon: L Fleming 0-6 (4 frees), K Nolan 1-0, R Fitzmaurice, L Shanagher, J McDermott, A Hanly 0-1 each. Wexford: A Cullen 0-3 (3f), C Ní Nualláin 0-2, A Power, G Donovan, C Murray 0-1 each.

Roscommon: Helena Cummins; Rachel Fitzmaurice, Ellen Irwin, Aisling Mac Auliffe; Ella Thompson, Saoirse Wynne, Caoimhe Cregg; Lisa O’Rourke, Kate Nolan; Laura Fleming, Lauren Shanagher, Sinead Farrell; Aisling Hanly, Aoife Gavin, Judy McDermott. Subs used: Aine McGrath for Farrell (h-t), Aimee O’Connor for Gavin (41 mins), Shauna Fleming for Thompson (48), Erin Hagan for McDermott (55), Niamh Fleming for Shanagher (60+1).

Wexford: Sadbh McCarthy; Katie English, Maria Byrne, Sarah Harding Kenny; Aisling Halligan, Roisin Murphy, Loren Doyle; Clara Donnelly, Amanda Power; Roisin Hughes, Aoife Cullen, Ciara Banville; Chloe Fox, Caoilfhinn Ní Nualláin, Tara Doyle. Subs used: Kellie Kearney for L. Doyle (inj., 18 mins), Caitriona Murray, for T. Doyle (38), Grace Donovan, for Fox (49), Orlaith Byrne for Hughes (51), Shauna Hackett for English (60+1).

Referee: Ciaran Groome (Offaly).