Hello, and welcome along to our live coverage of this evening’s Super 8s meeting of Roscommon and Donegal.
The Rossies welcome the Ulster champions to Dr Hyde Park, with the action throwing-in at 5pm (live on Sky Sports). Both sides need a win after defeats in their respective opening games.
We’ll be back shortly with team news and build-up.
Roscommon boss Kevin McStay has made two changes to the side who started in last weekend’s 18-point loss to Tyrone in Croke Park.
Sean McDermott comes into the team at corner-back while Brian Stack is named to start at full-forward, Niall Daly and Donie Smith are the players to make way.
Roscommon
1. Colm Lavin (Éire Óg)
2. David Murray (Padraig Pearses)
3. Niall McInerney (St Brigid’s)
4. Sean McDermott (Western Gaels)
5. John McManus (Roscommon Gaels)
6. Fintan Cregg (Elphin)
7. Conor Devaney (Kilbride – captain)
8. Tadgh O’Rourke (Tulsk Lord Edwards)
9. Cathal Compton (Strokestown)
10. Ciaráin Murtagh (St. Faithleach’s)
11. Niall Kilroy (Fuerty)
12. Enda Smith (Boyle)
13. Diarmuid Murtagh (St. Faithleach’s)
14. Brian Stack (St Brigid’s)
15. Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)
Meanwhile, Donegal have made some changes of their own following their defeat to reigning champions Dublin.
Neil McGee starts at full-back while Niall O’Donnell comes into the half-forward line.
Donegal
1. Shaun Patton (St Eunan’s)
2. Paddy McGrath (Ardara)
3. Neil McGee (Gaoth Dobhair)
4. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs)
5. Frank McGlynn (Glenfin)
6. Paul Brennan (Bundoran)
7. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar)
8. Hugh McFadden (Killybegs)
9. Leo McLoone (Naomh Conaill)
10. Niall O’Donnell (Naomh Adhamhnáin)
11. Michael Langan (St Michael’s)
12. Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conall)
13. Odhrán MacNiallais (Gaoth Dobhair)
14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly – captain)
15. Jamie Brennan (Bundoran)
The two teams for this evenings massive #Super8 match v Donegal #UpRos #RosGAA
— Club Rossie (@clubrossie) July 21, 2018
💙💛 pic.twitter.com/L1urja2Qtq
Roscommon play as selected. #rosgaa #gaa #rosgaa pic.twitter.com/a4fJ1gdbcm
— Roscommon GAA (@RoscommonGAA) July 21, 2018
Some late changes to the Donegal team for today — the two changes from last week have been undone so Stephen McMenamin is at full-back and Eamonn Doherty in the half-forward line.
We’re nearly ready to go. Do-or-die for both sides.
THROW-IN: Roscommon 0-0 Donegal 0-0
The action is underway at Dr Hyde Park.
1 min – Roscommon 0-0 Donegal 0-0
Both sides are settling into the game nicely and enjoying possession. Donegal look brighter on the attack at early doors, that said.
2 mins – Roscommon 0-1 Donegal 0-0
The Rossies win a free as Ryan McHugh over-carries. They worked hard to win that one and the home crowd love it. Ciaráin Murtagh draws first blood with a nice score.
4 mins – Roscommon 0-2 Donegal 0-0
Lovely ball in to Diarmuid Murtagh and he fires the ball over the bar on the turn. That very easily could have been a goal. Great start for the hosts.
5 mins – Roscommon 0-2 Donegal 0-1
Jamie Brennan opens Donegal’s account as he splits the posts after Donegal’s two early wides.
6 mins – Roscommon 0-3 Donegal 0-1
This is very good so far. Brian Stack hits an influential score from distance for the Rossies before Colm Lavin pulls out a top-drawer save at the other end to deny Brennan.
7 mins – Roscommon 0-3 Donegal 0-2
Michael Murphy slots over the resultant 45.
11 mins - Roscommon 0-3 Donegal 0-2
Really fast start in Dr Hyde Park, the crowd are really getting behind the sides as both of them fight for their lives in the All-Ireland SFC.
12 mins – Roscommon 0-4 Donegal 0-2
Ciaráin Murtagh gets his second and Roscommon’s fourth with a well-taken free-kick.
14 mins – Roscommon 0-4 Donegal 0-3
Ciarán Thompson responds with an equally-brilliant free at the other end and we have a one-point game again.
15 mins – Roscommon 0-4 Donegal 0-3
Michael Murphy had a chance there to draw the game level but his effort from the ground drops short and Roscommon clear their lines.
Ryan McHugh was down there recieving treatment after a challenge but he’s back up on his feet once again.
17 mins – Roscommon 0-4 Donegal 0-4
Ciarán Thompson and Odhrán MacNiallais link up cleverly on the attack, with the latter firing over to level matters. We’re level for the first time.
18 mins – Roscommon 0-4 Donegal 0-4
Neil McGee comes in to the Donegal full-back line, replacing the injured Eoghan Bán Gallagher. The Killybegs man fell awkwardly on his arm and heads for the bench.
21 mins – Donegal 0-5 Roscommon 0-4
Donegal break really quickly and Jamie Brennan draws a close-range free. Murphy steps up to slot it over with ease. Three points in-a-row for Donegal sees them one up.
23 mins – Donegal 0-5 Roscommon 0-4
Chances at each end as the intensity and pace rises but all go to waste.
26 mins – Donegal 0-6 Roscommon 0-4
Donegal are getting more and more on top here, as Thompson tags on another point after linking up with Murphy to cap an excellent team score.
28 mins – Donegal 0-7 Roscommon 0-4
SAVE! Shaun Patton pulls off a brilliant stop to deny Brian Stack, and Donegal work it up the other end to Murphy — who converts a super effort from play. They’re struggling to deal with him.
31 mins – Donegal 0-7 Roscommon 0-4
The Ulster champions are just throwing the ball around, patiently waiting for the right opportunities to come to shoot. Roscommon meanwhile, are struggling to get out of their own half by playing so defensively while Donegal are cleaning up on their kick-outs.
32 mins – Donegal 0-8 Roscommon 0-4
Pure class and power from Michael Murphy as he notches his fourth score of the evening. Roscommon haven’t scored in 20 minutes.
33 mins – Donegal 0-9 Roscommon 0-4
And again! Murphy fires over his fifth. An exhibition from the Glenswilly man so far.
34 mins – Donegal 0-9 Roscommon 0-5
Cathal Compton keeps Roscommon in touch with a score Kevin McStay’s side badly needed. There’ll be two minutes added time at the end of this half.
36 mins - Donegal 0-9 Roscommon 0-5
McHugh was grounded for a minute or two there after a challenge but he’s back up and at it as half-time approaches. Roscommon are trying desperately to muster up another score.
37 mins - Donegal 0-10 Roscommon 0-5
But it’s Michael Langan at the other end who fires over as Donegal move five points clear.
HALF-TIME: Donegal 0-10 Roscommon 0-5
Just before the half-time whistle sounded, there were a few tempers flaring and a bit of a scuffle came about. Kevin McStay looked absolutely furious about some decision, not 100% what that’s all about but we’ll update you as we find out more.
So, thoughts on the game so far?
Here’s some half-time highlights:
Check out the half-time highlights between Roscommon and Donegal here! pic.twitter.com/evXE5ZVTls
— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 21, 2018
There’s five points in it at the minute…. how do you see the rest of the game going?
Will Donegal power on to take the points on offer and keep their All-Ireland SFC dream alive? Or can Roscommon claw their way back into this? Let us know what you think.
Poll Results:
SECOND HALF: Donegal 0-10 Roscommon 0-5
We’re underway once again in Dr Hyde Park.
36 mins – Donegal 0-10 Roscommon 0-6
The Rossies start on the front foot, hitting the first point of the half. Enda Smith works the ball in and it looks like a goal chance is on, Brian Stack gets a leg to it and it heads over the bar.
Looked like Shaun Patton got injured in the midst of it all but he’s on his feet and ready to go again.
38 mins – Donegal 0-10 Roscommon 0-6
Ciaran Lennon is on for Cathal Compton, while Kevin McStay has taken his place in the technical area for this half. We’ll bring you more information on that as we get it.
39 mins – Donegal 0-11 Roscommon 0-6
Odhrán MacNiallais flies an absolute beauty of a point over the bar — his second of the evening.
39 mins – Donegal 0-11 Roscommon 0-7
And the outside of Ciarain Murtagh’s right boot connects brilliantly with the ball at the other end to claw another back for Roscommon.
41 mins – Donegal 0-12 Roscommon 0-7
MacNiallais raises another white flag to huge cheers from the crowd. A fair distance out, up high in the air and over the bar. Brilliant.
43 mins – Donegal 0-13 Roscommon 0-7
Murphy finds himself in oceans of space with time on his side, he lines himself up perfectly and fires the ball over. Textbook stuff.
46 mins – Donegal 0-13 Roscommon 0-8
Enda Smith pops up with a crucial score while his brother Donie is in for Cathal Cregg as Roscommon look for inspiration in their forward line. Finbar Cregg comes in for Sean McDermott.
Elsewhere, Hugh McFadden picks up the first yellow card of the game.
48 mins – Donegal 0-14 Roscommon 0-8
Captain Murphy brings his personal tally to 0-7 with a straight-forward free.
51 mins – Donegal 0-15 Roscommon 0-8
Tempers flare once again as there’s a scuffle with players from both sides involved. Donegal are awarded a free out to boos from the home crowd. They work the ball up excellently to find Murphy, who taps over yet another. Masterclass from the 28-year-old.
54 mins – Donegal 0-15 Roscommon 0-8
Jamie Brennan makes way to a big reception from the Donegal crowd while Niall O’Donnell takes his place.
56 mins – Donegal 0-15 Roscommon 0-8
Anthony Thompson comes in for Frank McGlynn, who gets a standing ovation as he’s replaced. Brian Stack takes a pop at goal from out around the 21-yard line and Patton denies him once again.
58 mins – Donegal 0-16 Roscommon 0-9
Quick thinking from Thompson on a free — he finds the incoming Ryan McHugh and the Kilcar man slots over. Makes it look so easy.
Diarmuid Murtagh pulls one back at the other end while Padraig Kelly comes in for Brian Stack.
60 mins – Donegal 0-16 Roscommon 0-10
CLOSE! Donegal make a super break up the field but MacNiallais’ effort comes off the post.
At the other end, substitute Donie Smith reduces the deficit to six points with 10 minutes to go.
62 mins – Donegal 0-16 Roscommon 0-11
Enda Smith is fouled as he tries to break through the Donegal defence as he looks to inspire and lead the charge. Ciarain Murtagh narrows the margin from there.
Earlier, there was a yellow card shown to David Murray and some fresh legs introduced:
Daire O’Baoill for Paul Brennan, Mark McHugh for Ciaran Thompson on the Donegal end while Ian Kilbride is on for Roscommon.
65 mins – Donegal 0-17 Roscommon 0-11
It’s that man again — Murphy fires over a free to bring his tally to 0-9 (0-4 frees).
67 mins – Donegal 0-17 Roscommon 0-12
Ciarain Murtagh slots a free.
Michael Langan picked up a yellow card for the challenge, Shane Killoran replaces Niall Kilroy, and Martin Reilly comes in for Langan.
69 mins – Donegal 0-18 Roscommon 0-12
Another classy point from MacNiallais to push Donegal further ahead. That’s his fourth from play today.
70 mins – Donegal 0-18 Roscommon 0-12
We’ll see at least five minutes of additional time.
71 mins – Donegal 0-19 Roscommon 0-12
Naomh Conaill’s Leo McLoone pops over his first of the day, Donegal are in full flight here.
73 mins – Donegal 0-20 Roscommon 0-12
Enda Smith opts to go short with a free, Donegal brought 14 men back though and rule it out before they break up the field. And Martin Reilly clips over at the other end.
74 mins – Donegal 0-20 Roscommon 0-13
Donie Smith curls the ball beautifully over the black spot for his second score of the evening and it looks like that’s that.
FULL-TIME: Donegal 0-20 Roscommon 0-13
So that’s that. Donegal march on as the dream stays alive, and up next for them is a mouth-watering meeting clash against Tyrone in Ballybofey.
Roscommon are out of contention and finish their Super 8s campaign in Croke Park against Dublin.
That’s all from me, but we’ll have a full match report on The42 in the coming minutes as well as analysis and reaction as according. Thanks for reading and enjoy your evening!
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