Roscommon boosted their survival hopes in Allianz football league division one with a convincing 1-16 to 0-7 victory over Monaghan at Dr. Hyde Park.
The Rossies led for the entire contest and were full value for a 12-point victory.
Two pointed frees from Diarmuid Murtagh and Daire Cregg saw Roscommon led 0-4 to 0-2 on 14 minutes. Michael McCarville and Kieran Duffy on target for Monaghan.
Enda Smith registered Roscommon’s first point from play on 16 minutes. Jack McCarron replied 60 seconds later.
Roscommon subsequently found another gear. Points from Donie Smith (two), Cregg and Ruaidhri Fallon helped the hosts lead 0-9 to 0-4 at the break.
The Rossies moved eight points clear three minutes into the second half when Shane Cunnane registered a goal.
Cunnane challenged Darren McDonnell after the Monaghan goalkeeper saved James Fitzpatrick’s attempted point. The referee allowed the goal to stand after consulting the umpires.
Dylan Ruane pushed Roscommon nine points clear on 56 minutes. Jack McCarron replied for Monaghan three minutes later but the Farney men failed to score for the remainder of the game.
Roscommon closed out the game with four unanswered points. Daire Cregg (two), Enda Smith and Diarmuid Murtagh were on target as the hosts ran out comfortable winners.
The win moves Roscommon off the bottom of the Allianz league division one with three points and above Galway to sixth place on score difference. Roscommon travel to Hastings McHale Park to face Mayo on Saturday evening in round five.
