Dublin showed a return to as they ran out seven-point victors over Roscommon on a dry evening in the capital.
The Dubs winning out 1-19 to 1-12 in Croke Park writes Jack Gannon.
Dublin ran into a two-point lead in the early stages before Diarmuid Murtagh got Roscommon's first score of the game. A well taken third minute effort.
The Dubs scored a further two points the boot of Con O’Callaghan before James Fitzpatrick got Roscommon's second point of the game after 12 minutes. Daire Cregg carried on his great form from the Sigurrsson Cup Final with a well-taken score four minutes later.
Back-to-back points from Dublin extended their lead six points to three. Indeed a quick-fire double from Daire Cregg and Diarmuid Murtagh reduced Dublin's lead to one after 24 minutes.
Ciaran Kilkenny’s point just a minute later doubled his side's lead. Enda Smiths quick-fire double had made it a level game in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.
Dublin responded instantly with a fantastic long-range effort from Brian Fenton, giving the Dubs a one-point half-time lead.
The All-Ireland champions started the second-half just like they did the first. However, this time with the first three scores of the half, extending their lead to four.
Daire Cregg managed to cut the lead back to three with a 46th minute free. The sides went on to trade a-point each with Diarmuid Murtagh converting a wonderful score on 52 minutes. The scoreline read 13 points to nine in Dublin’s favour.
Dublin subsequently went on to take control of the game. Through three scores without reply; the second of which, a well taken Niall Scully goal. Scully capping off a wonderful team move.
The sides exchanged two points each following the goal, Conor Cox and Ruiadhaí Fallon getting their names on the scoresheet for the Rossies.
Enda Smith gave his side a glimmer of hope after he scrambled the ball into the back of the net on 64 minutes. However, the Dubs replied professionally. Back-to-back points all but killing any hopes of a Roscommon come back.
Daire Cregg landed Roscommon’s last point of the contest two minutes before full-time; before man-of-the-match, Con O’Callaghan grabbed his seventh point of the match from the mark to give Dublin a 1-19 to 1-12 victory.
Davey Burke’s men host Monaghan next Sunday, knowing a win is vital in their efforts to regain division one status next year.
