West Roscommon scored a historic championship victory over North Roscommon in the opening game of the 2023 Roscommon SFC.
The West Roscommon side winning out 1-13 to 0-11 in the pouring Strokestown rain. The sides were level nine points apiece at half-time.
North Roscommon started better, lead three points to no score inside three minutes. Matthew Burke (two) and Daniel Cox on target.
West Roscommon eventually settled and 11 minutes later Adam McDermott levelled the game at four points each.
On 20 minutes Richard Thompson gave West Roscommon a four-point cushion. Two minutes later, Tommy Cox registered North Roscommon’s first score in 11 minutes.
The sides subsequently traded a point each before two points from Matthew Burke and one from Cian Harman made it 0-9 apiece at half-time.
As conditions worsened after the break, as scores dried up. West Roscommon moved three points clear, 0-12 to 0-9.
Adam McDermott found the net for West Roscommon mid-way through the half to secure victory. West Roscommon going onto win 1-13 to 0-11.
Listen to Willie Hegarty's report from Strokestown.
West Roscommon will now advance to the knockout stage of the championship where they will face the runner-up in group B. North Roscommon will face the winners of group B.
Group B contains St. Dominic's, Michael Glaveys, St Brigids and Pádraig Pearses.
The opening round proper of the Hudson Bay Hotel Roscommon Senior football championship gets underway on Friday August fourth with St. Dominic's facing Michael Glaveys and Western-Gaels meeting St. Faithleach's.
