Roscommon and Dublin couldn’t be separated at Croke Park as an absorbing contest ended 1-11 to 0-14 in their All-Ireland series opener.
The Rossies led 0-9 to 0-5 at the break before an improved second-half performance from Dublin resulted in a stalemate.
Ciaran Lennon was to the fore as Roscommon made a dream start. The St. Faithleach’s man landed two scores inside the first five minutes.
Cormac Costello eventually opened Dublin’s account 60 seconds later but Roscommon could’ve scored a goal on eight minutes. Diarmuid Murtagh was denied by Stephen Cluxton.
Murtagh and Con O’Callaghan subsequently traded scores before Dublin’s Michael Fitzsimons received a black card on 18 minutes.
A point each from the Murtagh brothers made it a double-score game before a 45-metre kick from Cormac Costello left three points between them on 32 minutes.
Roscommon responded impressively, holding onto possession for over three minutes before Ciaran Murtagh made it a four-point game on the stroke of half-time.
Sean Bugler and Niall Daly traded scores after the restart before a rare Roscommon mistake resulted in the game’s opening goal on 46 minutes.
Roscommon gifted possession to Dublin as Con O'Callaghan and James McCarthy combined to set up John Small who finished to the net.
Momentum was now with the hosts. Costello’s fourth and fifth point saw Dessie Farrell’s men lead by a point on 48 minutes.
Roscommon with dramatic finishing
Nine minutes later the sides were level thanks to Ciaran Murtagh. It was Roscommon’s first score in 17 minutes.
Another Costello point on the hour mark was sandwiched by two Ciaran Murtagh scores. Suddenly, the sides were level six minutes from time.
Points from Costello and Sean Bugler gave Dublin a two-point lead. Tom Lahiff could’ve added a goal but was denied by Conor Carroll heading into injury time.
Dublin look destined for victory but pointed frees from Conor Cox and Donie Smith saw the Rossies salvage a draw.
The Draw leaves all four teams in group three tied on one point after the first round.
