ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3A FINAL.

Roscommon 4-15, Monaghan 0-7.

It was disappointment for Monaghan for the second year in a row in the final of the Allianz Hurling league division 3A, this time losing heavily to Roscommon in a game that turned into a very one-way contest in the second-half in Ballyshannon on Saturday afternoon last. Conditions on the day were very difficult with a strong wind and squally showers and at one stage it looked as if the elements had conspired against Monaghan when the strong wind that favoured Roscommon in the first half literally changed direction before half-time with the result that Monaghan were facing into the elements for the entire match. Roscommon did adapt that bit better to the prevailing conditions with excellent stick work and tackling and blocking and they also had players who were able to pick off scores from distance while Monaghan were only able to register one point in the entire second half. Roscommon got off to a great start with a goal in the opening minute and they went on to dominate the opening quarter at the end of which they led by 1-4 to 0-3 but they were not to score again before half-time as Monaghan became increasingly dominant but they failed to convert a number of chances that could have made a crucial difference. Roscommon had their first score for almost half an hour when Michael Kelly opened the scoring five minutes after the resumption and by the end of the third quarter they were in complete control and had extended their lead to 11 points, a two-goal salvo from Cillian Egan within three minutes of each other doing most of the damage. Monaghan were now reduced numerically when Stephen Lambe picked up a second yellow card and Roscommon piled on the pressure to add another goal and seven points as opposed to Monaghan’s solitary score of the half from Conor McKenna, to run out comprehensive winners. Teams and Scorers: Monaghan: Kieran Hanniffy, Brian Flanagan, Patrick Finnegan, Jamie Guinan, Peter Treanor, Aaron Kenny, Conor McKenna 0-1, Deaglan Crowe, Stephen Forde, Niall Garland, Mark Treanor, Conor Boyle, Fergal Rafter 0-1, Stephen Lambe 0-5 (4f), Brian McGuigan. Subs: Ronan Curran for S Forde, Aidan Kerr for B Flanagan, Raymond McNally for C Boyle, Shane McNally for J Guinan, David McGahon for K Hanniffy.

Roscommon: Noel Fallon, Ian Delaney, Peter Kellehan,Ciaran Shaw, Shane Curley, Micheal Kelly 0-3, Warren Boyle, Alan Moore, Cathal Dolan, Tomas Seale 0-2, Eamon Flanagan, Jerry Fallon 0-6 (5f), Cillian Egan 2-2, Ronan O’Meara 0-1, Adrian Murphy 1-0. Subs: Liam Kilcline for I Delaneuy, Naos Connaughton 0-1 for R O’Meara, Hugh Rooney for E Flanagan, Gearoid Egan for A Murphy, Chris Duignan 1-0 for A Moore.

Referee: Mick Murtagh (Westmeath).