Davy Burke masterminded one of Roscommon's most famous Allianz League victories in many years as the home side toppled 2021 All-Ireland champions Tyrone thanks to three second-half goals from Ciaráin Murtagh, Diarmuid Murtagh and Ben O’Carroll.
In what was Burke’s first league game in charge of the Rossies, his players delivered in spades to leave Tyrone on the canvas and searching for answers at the final whistle.
In their last 18 Division 1 league games, Roscommon had only recorded two victories (against Cavan in 2017 and Monaghan in 2019), but they went some way to addressing that horrible run of results with a measured performance, helped by the impact off their bench.
With a strong wind behind them in the opening half, Roscommon gradually turned the screw with a couple of superb Niall Daly points setting the tone.
But, crucially, Tyrone eroded the deficit to just three points by the interval, courtesy of scores from David Mulgrew and Darragh Canavan, to leave the Rossies ahead by 0-08 to 0-05.
Tyrone had the home side's lead wiped out within three minutes of the second half, with half-time substitute Darren McCurry announcing his arrival with a free and a point from play.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Tyrone struck a major blow when Niall Morgan’s free was flicked to the net by Kieran McGeary. A McCurry point in his side’s next attack left Tyrone 1-09 to 0-09 ahead and seemingly on the road to victory.
But Roscommon hadn’t read the script. A superb pass from substitute Enda Smith picked out another substitute, Ciaráin Murtagh, and the St. Faithleach’s forward drilled a low shot to the corner of the net.
It got better for Roscommon as Smith and Ben O’Carroll teed up Diarmuid Murtagh who palmed the ball into the corner of the net.
Tyrone, who lost Cormac Munroe to a black card, kept coming and points Richard Donnelly and substitute Niall Sludden left just a point between them.
But Niall Daly’s third point as the game ticked into injury time was followed by the coup the grace as Roscommon maintained their composure after winning a crucial ball at midfield to allow Ben O’Carroll find the net and hand his side a sweet victory.
Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Conor Hussey, Conor Daly, Eoin McCormack; Dylan Ruane, Brian Stack (0-01), Niall Daly (0-03); Tadhg O’Rourke, Keith Doyle; Robbie Dolan, Daire Cregg (0-01), Ciarán Lennon; Diarmuid Murtagh (1-01), Conor Cox (0-02, 0-02f), Ben O’Carroll (1-02).
Subs: Enda Smith for Lennon (43), Ciaráin Murtagh (1-01) for Cox (48), Richard Hughes for Ruane (48), David Murray for McCormack (53), Donie Smith for Diarmuid Murtagh (60).
Tyrone: Niall Morgan (0-01, 0-01f); Michael McKernan, Cormac Munroe, Padraig Hampsey; Cormac Quinn, Peter Harte (0-01, 0-01f) Niall Devlin (0-01); Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; David Mulgrew (0-01), Kieran McGeary (1-01), Conor Meyler; Cathal McShane, Mattie Donnelly, Darragh Canavan (0-02, 0-01f).
Subs: Darren McCurry (0-03, 0-01f) for McShane (half time), Ryan Jones for Mattie Donnelly (51), Richard Donnelly (0-01) for Mulgrew (58), Niall Sludden (0-01) for McGeary (58).
Referee: David Coldrick (Meath).
