Roscommon takes his place at the top table

Armagh 1-19 Roscommon 2-22

Roscommon took his place in the inaugural Super 8 after a dazzling victory over Armagh on Saturday afternoon.

Enda Smith's goal added an impressive scoring line Roscommon led by two points after an exciting end-to-end opening half where teams traded tit scores for-tat, The goal of Donie Smith in the 28th minute made the difference for the Rossies at the break.

Roscommon started as a burning house and Cathal Gregg should have scored a first minute goal denied by Blaine Hughes who managed an incredible save. Nevertheless, it was a warning of things to come.

The men of the Orchard set a two-point lead, 0-5-0-3, after 10 minutes with Aidan Forker, Jemar Hall, Andrew Murnin (0-2) and Midfielder Stephen Sheridan scored on the target while Roscommon responded by Ciaran Murtagh (0-2) and Cathal Gregg.

And when they reached the level of Donie Smith and Ciaran Murtagh, Roscommon seemed ready to take control. Instead, it's Armagh who pushed Rory Grugan at close range and Murnin at arm's length after a one-handed grip.

Another Grugan extended Armagh 's lead but, as expected, Roscommon took the half – time with the elusive. Donie Smith and the mighty Gregg take the lead

Diarmaid Murtagh and Niall Grimley and Grugan of Armagh exchange points before Donie Smith installs his brother Enda to shoot in the net at close range. And Ciaran Murtagh followed with a rally of points to give the advantage to Roscommon and 1-11 to 0-12

Roscommon sailed away from Armagh at the start of the second half while Gregg and Ciaran Murtagh kept the display board.

Armagh needed a goal but Grugan's penalty shot was saved by goalkeeper Colm Lavin, although Mark Shields scored 45 minutes to reduce the two-point gap

, Roscommon still had a little more advance where Diarmaid Murtagh was immense. And while Grugan was denied another warning, there were few complaints when Smith made the last, late, late blow.

Armagh : B Hughes, P Burns, C Mackin, G McCabe, M Shields (1-0), B Donaghy, R Owens, C Vernon, S Sheridan (0-1), R Grugan (0-7, 0-5 free), J Hall (0-1), N Grimley (0-4, 0-3 free, 1 & # 39; 45), R McShane (0-1), A Murnin ( 0-4), A Forker (0-1). Subs : J McElroy for McCabe (33 minutes), R McQuillan for Sheridan (41), N Rowland for Donaghy (43), G McParland or Mackin (52), J Duffy for Hall (63), K Dyas for Murnin (64).

Yellow Card : McCabe, Shields, Rowland.

Roscommon : C Lavin, D. Murray, McInerney N., McDermott S., McManus J., Doomican P, Kilroy N, O'Rourke, Murtagh C (0-7, 0-1 free), C Cregg (0-3), E Smith (2-1), D Smith (0-3), U Harney, D Murtagh (0-7, 0-6 free). Subs : C Compton for Harney (55 minutes), C Daly for S McDermott (60), F Cregg (0-1) for N Kilroy (65), I Kilbride for O & # 39; Rourke (73e).

Referee : Joe McQullian (Cavan).