Hurling Round up: Roscommon book final spot as Fermanagh are relegated

Roscommon have overcome their early season strife to earn a spot in the Allianz Hurling League Division 3B final while Armagh and Monaghan will clash in the semi-final after a dramatic final round of action.

A 1-19 to 0-14 win for Roscommon over Monaghan in Clontibret completed a fine turnaround in fortunes for the Connacht outfit.

They had managed only two points from their first three games in what was a difficult time off the pitch too as manager Francis O'Halloran stepped down and Seamus Qualter was reappointed.

But they finished the campaign strongly, hammering Armagh in round four before completing the deal in the Farney County.

They made a strong start to proceedings and Brendan Mulry’s goal midway through the first half had them 1-10 to 0-08 ahead at the interval with Roscommon’s Paddy Fallon and Monaghan’s Fergal Rafter exchanging points throughout the half.

Roscommon grabbed the first five points of the second half, four coming from Fallon, to leave them 1-15 to 0-08 ahead 10 minutes into the second half and although Rafter tried to keep Monaghan in touch, Roscommon had too much with Mulry having the final say with a point.

Monaghan started the day with thoughts of a direct path to the final, but they must meet neighbours Armagh who had to withstand a brilliant Fermanagh fightback to secure a 3-17 to 3-16 win at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.

Karl McKeegan’s side held a seven-point advantage as the game ticked into additional time, but the Erne County struck for two goals late on to set up a grandstand finish in Middletown.

The hosts had lost Conor Reneghan to a red card heading into that frantic finale, but there appeared little indication of the turbulence to come despite a good start for the visitors.

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