GAA: Lohan's on hand to kill off battling Waterford

A CONTRIBUTION of 2-11 from their full forward line helped visitors Roscommon to advance to the second round of the All Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifier Series when they earned a hard- fought eight points win at Dungarvan yesterday afternoon.

It was the home side who made the better start scoring two goals in the opening 15 minutes from Conan Watt and Shane Walsh.

Roscommon recovered from this early setback and a goal from wing back Martin Rafferty in the 30th minute helped his side to lead by 1- 13 to 2-4 at half-time with their full forward line contributing nine of their side's points in the opening half.

While the Waterford defence were under endless pressure Roscommon will also be worried about their defensive performance as they advance in the championship.

Roscommon looked to have put the game beyond Waterford's reach four minutes after the restart when corner forward Jonathan Dunning finished a three-man move to the net to give his side a nine points advantage.

Waterford to their credit however rallied and they were thrown a lifeline 20 minutes from the end when the impressive Michael Walsh having been set up by his namesake Shane cut through the Roscommon defence to blast the ball into the net and leave his side only four points in arrears.

The more experienced Roscommon side with points from John Hanley and Nigel Dineen stretched their lead before man of the match Stephen Lohan had the visitors third goal in the 62nd minute but Waterford fought back with three unanswered points in a four minute spell that saw the margin down to six points.

Last year's defeated All Ireland quarter finalists finished the game the stronger with points from Gerry and fittingly Stephen Lohan to secure their place in the next round. Their full forward trio of Nigel Dineen, Stephen Lohan and Jonathan Dunning contributed a total of 2-11 of their side's score.

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