Donegal annihilated by Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park in final league game

Donegal are relegated to Division 2 after one of their worst ever performances against Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park.

Roscommon 0-21,   Donegal 0-9

After a turbulent week in the county, the Donegal side were further depleted by injuries but were no match for a resurgent Roscommon.

Donegal just didn’t turn up and after losing their manager, Paddy Carr, during the week, there were hopes that there would be a spark, but they were not at the races.

It will be a difficult week for the team and management now. Will they have Aidan O’Rourke and Paddy Bradley on board? Could it get even worse?

Donegal had to make late changes with Caolan McColgan, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí and Dáire Ó Baoill not starting. John Ross Molloy was making his league debut while Marty O’Reilly and Johnny McGroddy were also drafted in.

Donegal had to play against the breeze in the opening half and Roscommon really tested their defence.

The game was played like a challenge game with both sides intent on attack. Diarmuid Murtagh had the opening score on 48 seconds but Eoghan Bán Gallagher,  just as he did against Mayo, replied within a minute.

Caolan McGonagle put Donegal ahead before both sides  had goal chances, Caolan Ward making a great  block and Hugh McFadden getting a fist to a Michael Langan centre but the Roscommon ‘keeper was in the right place on the linie.

Tadhg O’Rourke and Conor O’Donnell swapped points and Brian Stack and Jamie Brennan did likewise to have it at 0-4 each after 11 minutes.

Ben O’Carroll and Enda Smith opened a two point gap but Ciaran Thompson replied. But then Roscommon hit four without reply with scores from Enda Smith, Diarmuid Murtagh (2) and Ben O’Carroll.

Hugh McFadden got a fist to a Jamie Brennan centre to punch and Michael Langan pointed a free won by Conor O’Donnell to cut the lead to 0-10 to 0-7 as half-time approached.

Roscommon responded with late points from Keith Doyle and another from Ciarain Murtagh to lead 0-12 to 0-7 at the break.

It got worse for Donegal in the second half as Roscommon were able to score at will while Donegal could manage just two points, one from Ciaran Thompson midway through the half while Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí added the final Donegal point with the last attack.

In the end it was a 12 point deficit but Roscommon also butchered a goal chance midway through the half with Conor Cox taking a wrong option.

Overall, it was more akin to a challenge match prior to the championship and in that regard Roscommon are in a different space to Donegal.

Donegal scorers: Ciaran Thompson 0-2; Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Michael Langan (f), Caolan McGonagle, Conor O’Donnell, Hugh McFadden, Jamie Brennan 0-1 each,

Roscommon scorers: Diarmuid Murtagh (1f), Ciarain Murtagh, Enda Smith, Ben O’Carroll 0-3 each; Cian McKeon, Keith Doyle  0-2 each; Brian Stack, Niall Daly, Tadhg O’Rourke, Conor Cox, Dáire Cregg 0-1 each.

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Conor Hussey, Brian Stack, David Murray; Niall Daly, Eoin McCormack, Tadhg O’Rourke; Dylan Ruane, Keith Doyle; Ciarain Murtagh, Niall Gillroy, Enda Smith; Diarmuid Murtagh, Conor  Cox, Ben O’Carroll. Subs: Ruaidhrí Fallon for O’Rourke (12), Donie Smith for O’Carroll (h-t), Richard Hughes for Daly (41), Cian McKeon (0-02) for Kilroy (41), Cian Connolly (0-01) for Cox (60).

Donegal: Shaun Patton;  Mark Curran, Caolan Ward, Marty O’Reilly, John Ross Molloy, Brendan McCole, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Michael Langan, Jason McGee; Caolan McGonagle, Ciaran Thompson, Conor O’Donnell; Johnny McGroddy, Hugh McFadden, Jamie Brennan.  Subs: Kieran Tobin and Jeaic Mac Ceallabuí for Langan and O’Reilly (ht); Keelan Dunleavy for McGroddy (41); Joel Bradley Walsh for J McGee (66); Brian O’Donnell for E Ban Gallagher (70+1).

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)