Roscommon full forward Donie Shine scored nine points as the Rossies saw off the challenge of London in this Connacht Championship clash at Ruislip today.

Roscommon 0-14
London 0-06

The pressure was on Roscommon to produce a performance, especially after a poor league campaign and London went into this match with genuine thoughts of recording a victory.

Karol Mannion returned to a Roscommon team which included three debutants. The towering St. Brigid's clubman missed most of the Rossies' ill-fated NFL campaign through injury, but returned to partner Michael Finneran at midfield for the clash. Ger Heneghan also regained his place in attack after opting out of the panel last year.

Manager Fergal O'Donnell handed championship debuts to St Faithleach's Stephen Ormsby in the full back line, Castlerea's Cathal Dineen at centre back and Kilmore's Paul Garvey at centre forward. Under 21 star Donie Shine started at full forward where he was flanked by John Rogers and Heneghan.

A number of players, including Enda Kenny, Senan Kilbride and Gary Cox, were not considered due to injury. Clann na nGael forward Jonathan Dunning is fit again, but had to be content with a place on the subs' bench.

Meanwhile, Conor Beirne captained London against his native Roscommon. The Tir Chonaill Gaels clubman was named at centre back on a team that included former Galway players Eamon O'Cuiv at full back and Paul Geraghty at midfield. Carlow's Derek Hayden lead the attack, while former Westmeath hurler Brian Smyth was named at right half forward.

The action or lack of it as was the case in the first 18 minutes saw Roscommon go two points in front both of which came from the boot of Donie Shine. However, a long delay in the game occurred when Mark O'Carroll was forced off injured with the match being held up for five minutes.

Roscommon pressed ahead and it was Shine who was leading the way as he kicked six points during the first half, while Mannion and Ger Heneghan added a further two.

A mighty free from Paul Geraghty and a point from Derek Hayden left the scores 0-8 to 0-2 at half time and it looked as if Roscommon were well in control and heading for the semi final.

Eleven minutes into the second half and there was only one point registered and it was no surprise that it was Shine who got it as he stretched the Rossies lead to seven points.

The wind continued to play havoc for both sides, but London continued to battle hard and they tagged on three points, but unfortunately for them so did London as the score was 0-12 to 0-5.

Shine, who finished the match with nine points to his credit was the start of the show and London's cause was not helped when Hayden missed a penalty late on, but it was the Rossies who progress on a score line of 0-14 to 0-6. Tweet

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