Mannon the star as Roscommon hurlers double up

Mannon the star as Roscommon hurlers double up

The visitors dominated the opening stages with Michael O'Hara and Barry Shorthall knocking over early points and they were well worth their 0-9 to 0-5 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

Roscommon however fought back and Ronnie Kennedy goaled on 20 minutes helping them to a 1-7 to 0-9 half-time lead.

The game continued to be close until Colm Buckley, who used to play with the Banteer club in Cork, blasted home a goal in the 40th minute to put the exiles in with a great chance of causing an upset.

In a tremendously exciting last quarter the sides were level three times and extra time beckoned until Mannon struck the winner in the 73rd minute.

Scorers Roscommon: R. Kennedy 1-1; B. Mannon, N. Cunniffe, D. Mulvey, E. Kelly, M. Connaughton, A. Kelly 0-2 each; L. Murray, T. Kelly, C. Kelly 0-1 each.

London: M. O'Hara 0-7 (0-3 frees); B. Shorthall 0-4; C. Buckley 1-1; P. Hammond 0-2; J. Walsh 0-1.

ROSCOMMON: A. Tully; M. Keaveney, M. Healy, M. Mulvey; N. Cunniffe, T. Reddington, L. Murray; M. Connaughton, S. Sweeney; T. Kelly, A. Kelly, S. Naughton; B. Mannon, R. Kennedy, D. Mulvey. Subs. E. Kelly for M. Mulvey; C. Kelly for D. Mulvey.

LONDON: JJ Burke; G. Furey, T. Lohan, C. Durack; C. Heaney, P. Hammond, J. Brennan; S. Byrne, J. Walsh; B. Shorthall, M. O'Hara, K. Murphy; M. Hayes, P. Finneran, C. Buckley.

Subs. M. Carroll for Buckley; M. Arragain for Lohan.