for Galway trip

0-5 at half-time.

Given the strength of the breeze, it didn’t look like a three-point lead would suffice, particularly when the Red Hand scored three points within four minutes of the restart (two from impressive sub Darren McCurry). Then on 47 minutes Kieran McGeary flicked home a long-range Niall Morgan free to put Tyrone 1-9 to 0-9 ahead. Two minutes later Tyrone carved the Roscommon defence open again, but Darren McCurry lost possession of the ball when a goal looked certain. Conor Carroll cleared.

Roscommon brought on a number of subs, all of whom made a huge impact, not least Enda Smith. In the 51st minute a superb team move saw the Boyle man play a fabulous pass to Ciaráin Murtagh, who finished brilliantly. Game on now. Six minutes later a slick passing move saw Diarmuid Murtagh just get his fist to the ball ahead of the Tyrone defenders. Suddenly Roscommon were 2-9 to 1-9 ahead.

The tension was at fever pitch now and the Roscommon fans were sensing an upset. In the

Teams & scorers

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Conor Hussey, Conor Daly, Eoin McCormack; Dylan Ruane, Brian Stack (0-1), Niall Daly (0-3); Tadhg O’Rourke, Keith Doyle; Robbie Dolan, Daire Cregg (0-1), Ciarán Lennon; Diarmuid Murtagh (1-1), Conor Cox (0-2, 2 frees), Ben O’Carroll (1-2).

Subs: Enda Smith for Lennon (43), Ciaráin Murtagh (1-1) for Cox (48), Richard Hughes for Ruane (48), David Murray for McCormack (53), Donie Smith for Diarmuid Murtagh (60).

Tyrone: Niall Morgan (0-1, free); Michael McKernan, Cormac Munroe, Padraig Hampsey; Cormac Quinn, Peter Harte (0-1, free), Niall Devlin (0-1); Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; David Mulgrew (0-1), Kieran McGeary (1-1), Conor Meyler; Cathal McShane, Mattie Donnelly, Darragh Canavan (0-2, 1 free).

Subs: Darren McCurry (0-3, 1 free) for McShane (h/t), Ryan Jones for Mattie Donnelly (51), Richie Donnelly (0-1) for Mulgrew (58), Niall Sludden (0-1) for McGeary (58).

Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).

59th minute Tyrone fullback Cormac Munroe was black-carded for a high tackle. Darragh Canavan (free) and Ciaráin Murtagh exchanged points before Tyrone subs Richie Donnelly and Niall Sludden reduced the margin to one (2-10 to 1-12) in the final minute of normal time.

Roscommon were not to be denied. The superb Niall Daly kicked a great point, then in the 5th minute of injury-time Ben O’Carroll finished another brilliant team move to seal a memorable win. It was no more than the secondhalf display deserved.

Then came a defining moment. With Roscommon briefly rattled, Tyrone broke at pace, and suddenly the ball was travelling towards two unmarked forwards. Darren McCurry fumbled the ball, possibly because he had already seen ‘goal’ in his imagination. His powerless colleague looked across in dismay to see the promised gold turn to dust. Roscommon ‘keeper Conor Carroll must have felt like a child let loose in a sweet shop as he stepped in to claim the ball.

Having somehow survived this scare, Roscommon hit the net themselves two minutes later, and went on to produce a clinical spell of play which had the Hyde rocking and left the pre-match script in shreds. There was a great buzz in town all Sunday morning as top flight football – in front of spectators, postrestrictions – returned to the Hyde.

The first quarter belonged to Ben O’Carroll, who was a revelation. The young St Brigid’s man had the Tyrone defence run ragged at times. Daire Cregg was proving to be a handful too. Two great scores from Niall Daly were typically inspirational. What a warrior he is! With a strong wind at their backs, Roscommon went 8-3 in front, but when Tyrone reeled two of those points in, they looked the better-placed side at the half-time break.

The second half was an absolute cracker, vintage league entertainment. Tyrone looked very likely winners, but Roscommon never abandoned their game plan, playing with composure and great spirit, their ‘young guns’ excelling. Crucially, household names bounced off the bench and made a huge impact. Enda Smith came on and turbo-charged Roscommon’s bid to upset the odds. His superb crossfield pass to Ciaráin Murtagh was assist number one of three, the Faithleach’s man firing home Roscommon’s first goal. Then, like an elusive eel, Smith wriggled free of a few Tyrone defenders before deftly transferring the ball to O’Carroll. At home on this stage, fleet-footed Ben passed to Diarmuid Murtagh. Goal number two, Roscommon three in front.

Tense minutes followed, Tyrone very much still in the hunt, Daly partly settling Roscommon nerves with his third point. Then came O’Carroll’s calm and classy coup de grace, the debutant scoring Roscommon’s third goal after a great move (Smith again involved).

Roscommon won by 3-11 to 1-12. It was a magnificent performance, established players and the ‘young guns’ combining to wrestle two very precious league points from this most streetwise of opposition. The Hyde was bubbling at the end of this thrilling opener to the new season.

Household names bounced off the bench and made a huge impact. Enda Smith came on and turbo-charged Roscommon’s bid to upset the odds