Murtagh's long-range prowess leads Roscommon revival

Diarmuid Murtagh spearheaded a second-half Roscommon revival, kicking four two-pointers to enable Davy Burke's men move top of the Division Two table outright following a thriller against Monaghan at King and Moffatt Dr Hyde Park.

The Rossies found themselves five points behind at the interval but, with the wind behind them, they turned things around spectacularly, with Murtagh ending up with a personal tally of 0-12.

League debutant Conor Hand also pitched in with three crucial second-half scores.

Mícheál Bannigan and Conor McCarthy were always dangerous for the visitors, but the Rossies’ firepower, despite missing Enda Smith and Daire Cregg, proved too much for the visitors.

The home team appeared obsessed with going for goals early on, but Rory Beggan was equal to anything thrown at him.

When the goals did arrive, it was Monaghan who grabbed them through David Garland and Mícheál Bannigan, while Roscommon goalkeeper Conor Carroll also saved a 21st minute penalty from Conor McCarthy.

Diarmuid Murtagh had opened the scoring from a free in front of the posts but Monaghan responded with the half’s only two-pointer from midfielder Mícheál McCarville.

Despite the tough conditions, both teams radiated danger up front, with Monaghan’s directness proving particularly fruitful.

Points from Bannigan, Louis Kelly and David Garland, in reply to points from Diarmuid and Ciarán Murtagh, left the visitors 0-05 to 0-03 in front before they struck for their first goal.

With Carroll stranded up the field, Monaghan moved the ball quickly, and when Bannigan’s raking delivery bounced off one post and across against the other, Garland was on hand to poke home the rebound.

Roscommon responded with a point from Diarmuid Murtagh and a fisted effort from