Bobby Nugent snatches Roscommon a draw with defending Connacht U20 champions Sligo

BOBBY DAZZLER: Bobby Nugent's free with the last kick of the game rescued a draw for the Roscommon U-20 footballers against Sligo. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Connacht U-20 Football Championship

Round Two

Sligo 0-9

Roscommon 0-9

ROSCOMMON took a draw from Markievicz Park thanks to Bobby Nugent’s pointed free in stoppage time.

Both Roscommon and defending champions Sligo had their moments but neither side impressed sufficiently to merit a win in what was a tit-for-tat encounter.

Sligo, winners of the last two provincial titles, had 10 starters from last year’s All-Ireland U-20 final defeat to Kildare.

Roscommon, who lost to Sligo in the last two campaigns, came into this fixture having drawn with Mayo in the previous week’s opening round.

Sligo made the better start and Eli Rooney bagged two points inside the opening five minutes.

Roscommon drew level by the 14th minute through pointed frees from Shane McGinley and Rory Carty but they failed to score for the remainder of the opening period.

Breeze-assisted Sligo went back in front from a well-worked move as Ross Doherty applied the finish.

A well-taken brace from Rossa Sloyan was Sligo’s highlight as the home side were four points up at half-time, 0-6 to 0-2, having only played in spurts.

Roscommon were outstanding in the first 17 minutes of the second-half and six points without reply saw them go two in front, 0-8 to 0-6. This phase of scores included points from Shane McGinley, Ryan Dowling and Eoghan Carthy.

Then it was Sligo’s turn to control for a spell and three unanswered points saw them edge ahead, 0-9 to 0-8, by the 59th minute as Ronan Niland’s excellent point gave the hosts a slim lead.

Sligo were unable to hold on, however, and Roscommon’s Bobby Nugent had the final say in stoppage time as his pointed free secured a share of the spoils for the visitors.

Scorers for Sligo: Eli Rooney (0-3, 1f); Luke Marren (0-2, 2f); Rossa Sloyan (0-2); Ross Doherty (0-1); Ronan Niland (0-1).

Scorers for Roscommon: Shane McGinley (0-3, 1f, 1m); Rory Carthy (0-2, 2f); Rory Hester (0-1); Bobby Nugent (0-1, 1f); Eoghan Carthy (0-1); Conor Ryan (0-1, 1m).

Sligo: E Carden; R Chambers, C Johnston, T Ross; E Barrett, D McLoughlin, R Sloyan; C Sheridan, R Doherty; D Walsh, R Niland, J Donlon; L Marren, C Walsh, E Rooney.

Subs: R O’Kelly-Lynch for E Barrett (39), R O’Callaghan for D Walsh (48), C Kenny for C Walsh (48), R O’Hehir for R Chambers (60), F Campbell for R Sloyan (62).

Roscommon: S Allen; E Kerins, D Casey, T Morris; J McGreal, S Lambe, E Carthy; C Ryan, S Walsh; R Hester, B Nugent, R Heneghan; S McGinley, Rory Carthy, Conor Harley.

Subs: R Conlon for R Heneghan (51), D Hagney for R Hester (51), O O’Flaherty for S Walsh (53), N O’Donnell for S McGinley (59).

Referee: Christopher Ryan (Galway).