Senior footballers stay on winning streak

DUBLIN 1-13 ROSCOMMON 1-12

Dublin survived a titanic battle with Roscommon before escaping with a one-point victory in Sunday’s NFL Division 1 clash at Páirc Seán, Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000.

The Dubs will face Donegal in their league semi-final next weekend after winning all seven of their regulation Division 1 games.

Good news for Dublin also was the return to action for Eoghan O'Gara, who replaced Kevin McManamon in the second half, following his cruciate knee injury.

The Dubs led 0-9 to 0-3 at half-time, having trailed 0-3 to 0-0 early on, yet the Rossies almost snatched a draw with practically the last kick of the match but Ciarán Murtagh’s injury-time free drifted wide.

Dean Rock’s accuracy along with points form Shane Carthy (St Vincent’s), Kevin McManamon and Conor McHugh helped Dublin to a comfortable six-point interval advantage while in defence Cian O'Sullivan excelled.

However, the second half was a different story, especially the last 15 minutes.

A Dean Rock goal in the 56^th minute after playing a one-two with the returning Eoghan O'Gara had Dublin 1-11 to 0-8 in front.

But Roscommon then really upped their game over the conclusion of the game with a Senan Kilbride goal, when flicking overhead to the net as Michael Savage advanced, ignited their hopes.

It was a battle to the finish line with Dublin just about holding on in a frenetic finish as Roscommon freetaker slipped in the heavy conditions with his late effort to earn a draw.

SCORERS – Dublin: D Rock 1-8 (0-7f), SB Carthy 0-2, C McHugh, K McManamon, J Small 0-1 each. Roscommon: C Murtagh 0-5 (0-2f), D Shine 0-3, S Kilbride 1-0, C Devaney 0-2, N Daly, F Cregg (0-1f) 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: M Savage; K O'Brien, M Fitzsimons, D Daly; E Lowndes, C O'Sullivan, Davey Byrne (Ballymun Kickhams); B Fenton, E Ó Conghaile; T Brady, D Rock, SB Carthy; P Mannion, K McManamon, C McHugh. Subs: R McDaid for O'Sullivan (ht), P Flynn for Brady (44), E O'Gara for McManamon (inj, 49), J Small for Daly (51), C Costello for Mannion (57), C Kilkenny for Lowndes (BC, 64).

ROSCOMMON: D O'Malley; N McInerney, S McDermott, N Collins; D Murray, S Purcell, D Keenan; N Daly, C Shine; F Cregg, N Kilroy, C Murtagh; D Shine, S Kilbride, C Cregg. Subs: S Mullooly for McDermott (BC 26), C Devaney for C Cregg (BC HT), J McManus for Keenan (44), J McDermott for C Shine (51), B Murtagh for Kilroy (56), T Corcoran for D Shine (64).

REF: D O'Mahoney (Tipperary).

Allianz Football League 2016:

Roinn 1

The top 4 Teams contest the Roinn 1 Semi Finals – 1 v 4 and 2 v 3.

The bottom 2 Teams are relegated to Roinn 2.

10.04.2016 in Croke Park.

Semi Final

Kerry v Roscommon 2pm

Dublin v Donegal 4pm

24.04.2016

Final

Semi-Final Winner v Semi-Final Winner

Relegated

Cork

Down

Roinn 2

The top 2 Teams contest the Roinn 2 Final.

The top 2 Teams are promoted to Roinn 1.

The bottom 2 Teams are relegated to Roinn 3.

24.04.2016

Final

Tyrone v Cavan

Relegated

Armagh

Laois

Roinn III

The top 2 Teams contest the Roinn 3 Final.

The top 2 Teams are promoted to Roinn 2.

The bottom 2 Teams are relegated to Roinn 4.

23.04.2016

Final

Kildare v Clare

Relegated

Westmeath

Limerick

23.04.2016

Roinn IV

The top 2 Teams contest the Roinn 4 Final.

The top 2 Teams are promoted to Roinn 3.

Final

Antrim v Louth