Jordan snatches victory for Tyrone over Roscommon

Image source, InphoImage caption, Eoin McElholm scored Tyrone's first goal Ethan Jordan's last-gasp free saw Tyrone edge Roscommon 3-16 to 2-18 in an absorbing All-Ireland SFC first round clash. Jordan finished with 0-7 as first half goals from Eoin McElholm and Ronan Cassidy, plus a second-half strike from the evergreen Mattie Donnelly paved the way for victory. Tyrone were playing their first game in six weeks after their Ulster preliminary round defeat by Armagh, while Roscommon were coming into the game on a high after beating Galway to lift the Connacht title a fortnight ago. The Red Hands were without the influential Canavan brothers, Darragh and Ruairi, as both forwards did not make the match-day panel due to injury. However, Malachy O'Rourke was boosted by the fitness of midfielder Brian Kennedy who went off injured in that Orchard clash, but the injury was not as bad as first feared. The game started at breakneck speed, with Ciaran Daly rattling the side-netting when going for goal with the very first play. Darragh Heneghan brought the large home crowd to its feet in the fifth minute, carrying on his fine form by blasting to the net beyond Niall Morgan. Despite the warm conditions, the electric pace of the game refused to let up as Ethan Jordan, Conn Kilpatrick and Eoin McElholm led the Red Hand charge. It was the latter's 21st-minute goal that gave Tyrone a 1-7 to 1-4 lead, taking the time to pick his spot amongst a spew of opposition defenders. Two further Roscommon scores followed before Ronan Cassidy took matters into his own hands, bursting through Rossies defence before blasting to the roof of the net to cap a fine solo run. Diarmuid Murtagh, who kicked five first-half points, traded orange flags with Jordan as Tyrone, playing with the aid of a slight breeze, led 2-11 to 1-9 at half-time. Roscommon dominated the first part of the second half, outscoring Tyrone 1-5 to 0-2, with Conor Carroll landing a two-point free before turning the provider as his restart set Keith Doyle through and big midfielder rolled under Morgan to give his side the lead. Tyrone replied with their first score in 16 minutes asCarroll's restart was poor and seized upon by Ciaran Daly who found Mattie Donnelly inside and the veteran forward blasted to the top corner of the net. The Red Hands held a slender two point advantage heading into the final five minutes of the contest. With time quickly running out, Paul Carey landed a huge two-pointer to level the game with less than one minute to play. Tyrone countered up the field and Eoin McElholm was fouled, allowing Jordan to tap over a free on the hooter to seal a big win for the Ulster county. Malachy O'Rourke's side now have two chances to reach the last eight, while Roscommon lose their safety blanket and head for Round 2B. Roscommon: Conor Carroll (0-2 1x2pt); Colm Neary, Caelim Keogh, Eoin McCormack; Ruaidhri Fallon, Ronan Daly, Senan Lambe; Keith Doyle (1-0), Conor Ryan; Dylan Ruane (0-1), Enda Smith (0-1), Daire Cregg (0-2); Diarmuid Murtagh (0-8 1x2pt, 4f), Darragh Heneghan (1-0), Robert Heneghan. Subs: Conor Hand (0-2) for R Heneghan (45), Shane Cunnane for C Ryan (49), Paul Carey (0-2 1x2pt) for D Ruane (51), Brian Stack for R Fallon (53), Cian McKeon for D Craig (58) Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Peter Teague (0-1), Joey Clarke; Michael McKernan, Niall Devlin (0-1), Kieran McGeary; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick (0-1); Seanie O'Donnell (0-1), Ronan Cassidy (1-0), Ciaran Daly (0-1); Eoin McElholm (1-3), Mattie Donnelly (1-1), Ethan Jordan (0-7, 1x2pt, 1'45, 2f). Subs: Darren McCurry for R Cassidy, Frank Burns for K McGeary (both 49), Ciaran Bogue for C Daly (63), Ruairi McHugh for B Kennedy (67)

Jordan snatches victory for Tyrone over Roscommon

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