Roscommon 0-9 Clare 0-9
Roscommon and Clare remain unbeaten in Division Two following a hard-fought draw in testing conditions, marred by strong winds, at Dr Hyde Park.
In the end, a helter-skelter second half ended with Clare kicking the last three points, culminating in substitute David Tubridy confirming the stalemate in injury time.
In fact, Colm Collins’ charges were the superior side in the opening 35 minutes, despite playing into the teeth of Storm Franklin.
They were composure personified in possession, picking their opportunities to run at the heart of the home side’s defence and kick some wonderful scores.
On the other hand, Roscommon were laborious and struggled for traction, even though they held a narrow lead at the interval.
Podge Collins, Aaron Griffin, Eoin Cleary, Alan Sweeney and Jamie Malone registered excellent points from play in an opening 35 minutes that will have delighted the Clare management.
Roscommon kept in tough through Cathal Heneghan, Donie Smith (two frees), Enda Smith and Conor Cox - the latter kicking his second point of the afternoon on the stroke of half-time to hand his side a slender 0-6 to 0-5 lead.
The hosts’ position was precarious, given they now had to negotiate playing into the elements, but they warmed to their task with early points from Cox and Richard Hughes.
All Clare could muster in response was Collins’ second point of the afternoon. Substitute Diarmuid Murtagh pushed the Rossies 0-9 to 0-6 ahead but, with midfielder Ultan Harney shown a black card, Clare reeled in their opponents with late points from Sexton (‘45), Cleary and Tubridy to deservedly earn a share of the spoils.
Roscommon: C. Lavin; M. Richardson, B. Stack, E. McCormack; D. Ruane, N. Daly, R. Hughes (0-1); U. Harney, E. Nolan; N. Kilroy, E. Smith (0-1), C. Heneghan (0-1); C. McKeon, D. Smith (0-2, 0-2f), C. Cox (0-3, 0-2f).
Subs: N. Higgins for Richardson (half-time), C. Murtagh for Ruane (57 mins), D. Murtagh (0-1) for Heneghan (60 mins), C. Sugrue for Cox (61 mins), K. Doyle for McKeon (70 mins).
Clare: S. Ryan; M. Doherty, C. Brennan, C. Rouine; C. O'Dea, E. Collins, A. Sweeney (0-1); C. O'Connor, D. O'Neill; J. Malone (0-1), E. Cleary (0-2), P. Lillis; A. Griffin (0-1), K. Sexton (0-1, 0-1 '45), P. Collins (0-2).
Subs: D. Tubridy (0-1) for Malone (43 mins), D. Walsh for Doherty (50 mins), E. McMahon for E. Collins (67 mins), C. Downes for Griffin (70 mins).
Referee: P. Maguire (Longford).
