Roscommon opened their All-Ireland series with a 2-19 to 0-13 defeat to Dublin at Croke Park.
Dublin got off to a flying start leading three points to no score inside five minutes. Brian Fenton, Ross McGarry and Paul Mannion with the opening scores.
Roscommon eventually settled, points from Conor Cox and Daire Cregg saw them make it a one-point game on nine minutes.
Brian Fenton restored Dublin’s three-point buffer on 14 minutes. Murtagh and Conor Cox replied making it a one-point game.
Dublin showed why they’re All-Ireland champions with a wonderful score on 20 minutes. Brian Howard initiated the sweeping move deep inside his own half, Con O’Callaghan supplied the finishing touch as Dublin now led 0-7 to 0-5.
Corner-back Cian Murphy pushed Dublin three points clear on the half hour mark as Dessie Farrell’s men. Eoin Murchan was running a support line for Murphy and was adjudged to have been brought down by Eoin McCormack.
McCormack received a black card but the Rossies finished the half strongly nonetheless.
Two pointed frees from Diarmuid Murtagh saw Davy Burke’s men trail 0-10 to 0-9 at the break.
Dublin made a blistering start to the second half, John Small made it a two-point game 30 seconds after the restart. Tom Lahiff pushed Dublin three points clear on 41 minutes, eight minutes later Diarmuid Murtagh brought it back to a one-point game.
Cormac Costello and Sean Bugler replied with a score each for Dublin. Daire Cregg replied within 60 seconds as Roscommon trailed 0-15 to 0-13 on 54 minutes.
Dublin Surge
Con O’Callaghan doubled Dublin’s advantage five minutes later setting the tone for a late onslaught. Colm Basquel found the net four minutes from time. Three minutes later, Con O’Callaghan added another goal as Dublin ran out convincing winners.
Roscommon face Mayo in round two of the championship next weekend. Mayo scored victory over Cavan in round one.
