Afternoon all. In the recent past Kerry and Roscommon have occupied very different worlds, but they come face-to-face today in Croke Park with the carrot of a league final to play for.
Roscommon, the surprise package of 2016 so far, have come a long way since 2011 when they were playing against Kilkenny in Division 4. Their league campaign was kick started with that fantastic February victory over Kerry in Killarney, but it was a turning point for Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s men too.
Kerry haven’t lost since then, stringing together five straight wins to make the playoffs. Outside of Dublin, they’re the form side in the country. They’ll be eager to bridge the nine-week gap to the Munster semi-final with another outing in Croke Park.
For Kevin McStay and Fergal O’Donnell, this game is all about showing they belong among the elite. Successive defeats to Mayo and Dublin reminded us that they still have quite a bit to travel before they can be considered in the country’s top bracket. A win today would be a significant step in that direction.
Throw-in is at 2pm. The game is live on TG4.
The scene is set…
Let’s take a quick check on the teams.
Roscommon
1 Geoffrey Claffey
2 Sean Mc Dermott
3 Neil Collins
4 Niall McInerney
5 David Murray
6 Sean Purcell
7 Sean Mullooly
8 Niall Daly
9 Cathal Shine
10 Fintan Cregg
11 Ciaran Murtagh (c)
12 Conor Devaney
13 Diarmuid Murtagh
14 Senan Kilbride
15 Cathal Cregg
Kerry
1. Brian Kelly
2. Marc Ó Sé
3. Mark Griffin
4. Shane Enright
5. Peter Crowley
6. Aidan O’Mahony (c)
7. Fionn Fitzgerald
8. Kieran Donaghy
9. David Moran
10. Johnny Buckley
11. Paul Murphy
12. Donnchadh Walsh
13. Darran O’Sullivan
14. Colm Cooper
15. Stephen O’Brien
Kerry will play with a strong breeze in the first-half.
Roscommon 0-1 Kerry 0-1
5 mins – A point apiece from frees early on.
Roscommon 0-2 Kerry 0-1
6 mins – Ciaran Murtagh curls over a close range free to put Roscommon in front.
Roscommon 0-2 Kerry 0-2
9 mins – Colm Cooper kicks his second free to level matters up. We’re yet to see a score from play.
Roscommon 0-2 Kerry 0-3
10 mins – Kerry move Kieran Donaghy to the edge of the square and lump a high ball into him. He feeds Darran O’Sullivan who puts it over.
GOAL! Colm Cooper buries a close-range finish after Stephen O’Brien tears the Roscommon defence to shreds with a dangerous run!
Roscommon 0-2 Kerry 1-4
13 mins - Marc O Se strokes over a point on the outside of his boot. Kerry are starting to motor in Croke Park.
Roscommon 0-2 Kerry 1-6
15 mins – Roscommon have plenty of players back but they’re not defending well at all. Johnny Buckley opens up his account and O’Sullivan adds another.
Kerry are giving an exhibition of score-taking so far. It’s all too easy for them. Roscommon need to get a hold on this game.
Buckley is forced off with an injury. Kerry will miss his industry on the half-forward line. Bryan Sheehan replaces him.
Roscommon 0-3 Kerry 1-6
22 mins – Ciaran Murtagh finally gets Roscommon’s first score from play. That’s their first point in 16 minutes.
Roscommon 0-4 Kerry 1-6
26 mins – Ciaran Murtagh kicks another free. Roscommon are being forced to work so much harder for scoring chances.
GOAL! Donnchadh Walsh nets Kerry’s second!
Strange to see Walsh stationed on the edge of the square, but he made no mistake from close range after a long delivery into him. Roscommon could be aggrieved by the amount of steps he took.
Roscommon 0-4 Kerry 2-8
29 mins – Murphy fires over a follow-up point.
Roscommon 0-5 Kerry 2-8
35 mins – Diarmuid Murtagh curls over a free. We’ll have four minutes of added time.
A high ball into O’Sullivan results in a goal. Everything Kerry touch turns to gold.
GOAL! Darran O’Sullivan puts another nail in Roscommon’s coffin!
Roscommon 0-5 Kerry 3-8
35+3 mins – The margin is now 12 points. That last goal was a huge defensive error by Roscommon.
Half-time: Roscommon 0-5 Kerry 3-8
As good as Kerry have been going forward, they’ve been really impressive defensively. Don’t forget Roscommon were the highest scorers in Division 1 this year but their forwards have been given very little room. Aidan O’Mahony is doing an excellent job in a sweeper role.
Roscommon have the wind in the second-half but they’d almost need a divine intervention to turn this game around.
The second-half is back underway.
Donie Shine is introduced for Cathal Shine at half-time. He’ll slot straight into midfield.
Ronan Stack comes in for Sean Purcell.
Kerry 3-10 Roscommon 0-5
37 mins – Cooper (free) and O’Sullivan extend Kerry’s lead.
Kerry 3-11 Roscommon 0-6
42 mins – Murphy breaks through and pops over the bar.
Kerry 3-11 Roscommon 0-7
45 mins – Donie Shine points an impressive free from outside the 45. Nice to see him back on the big stage after his injury struggles.
Kerry 3-11 Roscommon 0-9
50 mins – Ciaran Murtagh curls over another free. In fairness Roscommon have been excellent from placed balls today.
Kerry 3-11 Roscommon 0-10
51 mins – Roscommon with their second score from play. Diarmuid Murtagh fires over the bar.
Kerry 3-12 Roscommon 0-11
55 mins – Conor Devaney with a nice score off the left.
Kerry 3-13 Roscommon 0-11
58 mins -Colm Cooper’s latest free brings his tally to 1-5.
Kerry 3-15 Roscommon 0-13
62 mins – Super score by Barry John Keane. Kerry’s version of Kevin McManamon. He’s always good for a couple of scores when he comes in.
Kerry 3-15 Roscommon 0-13
64 mins – Neil Collins drives forward and puts one over the bar. Brendan O’Sullivan response with a point at the far end.
Full-time: Kerry 3-15 Roscommon 0-14
There you have it. Kerry have reached their first football league final since 2009 and it’s back to the drawing board for Roscommon. Thanks for joining us.
