Roscommon stunned Tyrone to book a place in the All-Ireland quarter-final with a two point win in Healy Park.
The Rossies were awesome in the first-half, leading three points to one after nine minutes. Donnie Smith, Conor Cox and Diarmuid Murtagh having responded to Sean O’Donnell’s opening score.
There was a sense it was Roscommon’s day when Conor Cox’s 13th minute free came off the post; only for Cox to send the ball over the bar in response.
Donie Smith put the Rossies four points clear less than 60 seconds later with a brilliant score. Smith made it a five point lead three minutes later. Darren McCurrie landed Tyrone’s second point on 19 minutes.
Diarmuid Murtagh registered his second score on 19 minutes via his left foot. McCurrie converted a free seven minutes from half-time. Tyrone’s final score of the half.
A Conor Cox free and a Daire Cregg point gave Roscommon a nine points to three half-time lead. However, that wasn’t the end of the drama as Niall Morgan produced a good save to deny a Murtagh goal.
Tyrone spurned a goal chance just before the break.
The hosts looked leggy in the opening half, with Brian Dooher introducing Conn Kilptarick, Eoin McElholm and Peter Harte at the break. The changes shook up the hosts.
Peter Canavan landed Tyrone’s first score of the second-half, Diarmuid Murtagh responded instantly for Roscommon.
Then came the Tyrone surge, Eoin McElhom, a Dara Canavan free and one from play making it a three point game on 47 minutes. Daire Cregg sent over an important Roscommon’s first point in 10 minutes.
However, Tyrone stayed in touch. Darren McCurrie converted a 50th minute free to make it a three point game. After, Ronan Daly had landed a high tackle.
Darren McCurrie and Murtagh exchanged points as the sides entered the final quarter.
When Brian Kennedy collected Niall Morgan’s kick-out, you got the feeling Tyrone were going to turn the scoreboard over.
However, Roscommon showed metal and steal. Kennedy turned villain committing a foul off the restart. Murtagh gleefully blasted the free over the bar.
Darren McCurrie made it a three point game with 10 minutes remaining converting a free. Michael McKiernan made it a one point game with seven minutes remaining.
However, Daire Cregg produced the solo run and shot to restore Roscommon’s two point lead, edging Davy Burke’s side home.
Tyrone kicked another wide as Roscommon recorded a famous win to make the quarter-final draw.
