Dublin 1-19 1-12 Roscommon.
Con O’Callaghan was back to his direct, point-scoring, dummy-throwing, bulldozing best as Dublin finally used him properly in their league win over Roscommon on Saturday night.
The capital seem to have finally received the memo that they have excellent forwards, and that if you feed them the ball, they will do the damage – which is exactly what happened.
The reigning All-Ireland champions were playing a very direct stye of football against Roscommon compared to how they were lining out against Mayo a couple of weeks ago, although the Connacht side were excellent on the break in the first half.
Naturally, this led to an entertaining game, with plenty of ball kicked in by the Dubs, and when it didn’t result in a score, waves of yellow and blue would break at pace and get one at the other end.
Interestingly, O’Callaghan lined out in midfield with number nine on his back, but ironically he was being used as a proper forward more so than in previous games, with plenty of delivery being sent his way in the first half.
The supply was paying off as he kicked two excellent points consecutively, but unfortunately for the home side Daire Gregg was on fine form down at the other end, linking up play, coming deep to win balls, and kicking some lovely scores himself.
The flying forward was hugely influential in the game, and then later Enda Smith started to find his feet in midfield, getting two late points that brought the match to a draw just before half time.
However, a brilliant Brian Fenton score meant that Dublin did go down the tunnel with a lead at the break, and it left the game poised for an exciting second half.
#DUBvROS 10 nóim @DubGAAOfficial 0-04@RoscommonGAA 0-01
Pointe an-bhreá ag Con O'Callaghan 🙌
A beautiful strike from O'Callaghan and Dublin are building up an early lead.
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺#AllianzLeagues #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/Yo7leLmrOG
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 17, 2024
O’Callaghan started as he meant to go on, getting the opening score of the half, and the The Boys in Blue quickly started to rack up a lead as Ross McGarry and Sean Bugler chipped in.
It was all about the bomber from Cuala, Con, as he continuously split the posts, making the most of the ball sent into him, but also backed himself to take his man on, as was best shown when he burst through the Roscommon defence before fisting it over the bar at an angle.
When Niall Scully grabbed a goal, it looked like the tie was over, but Davy Burke’s men were never going to go down without a fight, and Smith grabbed a goal back with five minutes left on the clock, just to give the away team some hope, and take the sails out of Dublin’s wind.
However, it was that man again, making a clever run before scooping up an even cleverer kick pass in, and puncturing the opposition’s momentum by kicking his sixth point of the night, and fifth from play.
The flying forward finished with seven in total, and picked up the Man of the Match award as Dublin recorded their first win in the National League this year.
Related links:
- The Fergal Boland story continues as Mayo’s almost forgotten man seals win against Dublin
- Roscommon legend questions Ethan Raffert’;s role as sweeper keeper
- Paddy Durcan grabs Mayo by scruff of the neck and drags them to victory against Dublin
