While everyone was put to sleep watching England Sweden, they missed a cracker

Niall McIntyre

So much closer to home too.

There were long range scores aplenty, there was some superb high-fielding, there were two teams trying to score more than each other and it all made for a belter of a game.

Roscommon eventually came out on top and now they’re headed for the Super 8s. Kevin McStay’s men met their match in Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh, but in the end, it was the Connacht side’s superior fitness that told.

On a sunny Portlaoise Saturday, the Ulster county began like a house on fire. What was most noticeable about their play was their constant willingness to kick-pass the ball.

Not content to fist-pass aimlessly and hopelessly around the middle third for minutes without end, the Orchard men actually took a risk and it did pay off for them early on.

After 21 minutes of the game, they had eight points scored, seven from play and they had turned plenty of heads along the way. Danger man Andrew Murnin was causing damage on the edge of the square while Rory Grugan was also making his presence felt for Kieran McGeeney’s men.

But in fairness to Roscommon, they never panicked and they never deviated from their own attacking plan. Enda Smith’s goal on 28 minutes after a sweeping counter-attacking move would be crucial for them.

That man stood as tall as ever in the middle of the field for the men in yellow and blue. A weapon under the kick-outs, every time he gathered position he was haring straight down the heart of the Roscommon defence.

Great play from Roscommon ending in a Enda Smith goal! pic.twitter.com/zruPnj4TF8

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 7, 2018

Ciaran and Diarmuid Murtagh continued where they left off from the Connacht final, with the St Faithleach’s club man kicking a pair of fine points from play just before the break.

The Rossies’ would go into the interval leading by two, and this game was finely poised.

Check out the half-time highlights between Armagh and Roscommon here! pic.twitter.com/jnqUTiLq7D

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 7, 2018

That pattern didn’t change whatsoever in the second. Armagh’s challenge was reignited ten minutes into the second half when their wily weapon Mark Shields slotted a fine goal past Roscommon keeper Colm Lavin.

Goal Armagh! Great finish by Mark Shields! pic.twitter.com/IpAkCApFEV

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 7, 2018

But Roscommon steadied themselves again, and fittingly after a couple of points from Devaney and the Murtaghs, it was that man Enda Smith who sealed the deal with his second goal of the day deep in injury time.

Indeed, the quality of this game was best summed up by the amazing stat in the current gaelic football climate that referee Joe McQuillan only had to issue two cards in the whole game.

In the end, they ran out, six point, 2-22 to 1-19 winners.