February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Sean O’Reilly
Roscommon 2-9, Astoria Gaels 0-8
Roscommon juniors registered their second victory of the season on Sunday after a hard-fought game with Astoria Gaels at Gaelic Park.
The crucial scores for the winners came within the first 15 minutes of the game when dangerman Johnny McFadden and full-forward Aiden Smith struck for two goals after a whirlwind start.
These scores were to prove the deciding factor in a keenly contested game, but Astoria never recovered from such a poor start. Roscommon were 2-3 to 0-5 up at the break with points coming from McFadden, Ivan Connelly and a free from midfielder Paul Scanlon.
Astoria scores came from Nestor Allen, Sam Yore (0-2) and Joe Butler.
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Allen gave his side the ideal start to the second half with a fine score from a sideline ball. Roscommon replied with another Scanlon free this was followed by a Mike keane point for Astoria and another from substitute Gerry White.
Astoria were on the way back until Roscommon’s John Stack replied with a fisted point after Connelly’s effort came off the post. The goal Astoria needed to get back into contention never came, yet they did have a great chance, but Mike Deare in the Roscommon goal pulled off a save to deny Allen after 15 minutes.
The winners had a few tense moments but finished the strongest with a series of scores from Aiden Smith, Ivan Connelly, Joe Murray and the last from an in-form Johnny McFadden.
Astoria were always in trouble after the goals, but Nesto Allen, Sam Yore, Mike and P.J. Burke tried hardest.
Roscommon: M. Deere, J. Gillern, A. McNeillis, E. Core, R. Hennelly, J. Santry, O. Hoare, P. Scanlon (0-2), M. O’Shea, C. Elliot, J. McFadden (1-2), I. Connelly (0-2), J. Murray (0-1), A. Smith (1-2), C. Dowd. Subs: John Stack (0-1), Noel Foley.
Astoria: E. Coyne, P. Mulroy, D. Harrington, A. O’Mahoney, G. O’Brien, P.J. Burke, J. Beirne (0-1), E. Reilly, S. Yore (0-2), N. Allen (0-3), J. Butler (0-1), M. Keane (0-1), N. Cardon, J. Polan, D. Browne.