Roscommon produced a second-half scoring surge to see off Down in a thrilling game at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park.
A game that featured nine two-pointers (three from Roscommon and six from Down) unleashed the full repertoire of new rules, but, ultimately, it was the home supporters who went home happy with two league points in the bag.
Davy Burke's men found themselves five points behind at the break, but their substitutes made a huge impact with Ciaráin Murtagh, who was introduced at the break, capping a memorable comeback for the home side with a superb 58th minute goal.
Down made full use of the breeze behind them in the opening half, kicking their six two-pointers from outside the outer scoring arc — four of them coming from impressive full-forward Pat Havern — to lead by 1-14 to 2-06 at the break.
Roscommon had made a dream start when a surging run by Enda Smith saw the 2023 All-Star exchange passes with his Boyle clubmate Daire Cregg before finding the net.
But Down warmed to their task and a couple of two pointers from Havern, including a long-range free, brought the Mourne men level by the eighth minute.
The visitors received a major boost in the 15th minute when Havern’s attempt for a score was half blocked and Ryan McEvoy guided the ball beyond Conor Carroll with his hand.
Roscommon grabbed a second goal in the 26th minute when Shane Killoran’s effort for a point wasn’t gathered by Down goalkeeper John O’Hare, and Cian McKeon — making his return to Roscommon colours — had the easiest of tasks to find the net.
But Down’s ability to kick two-pointers was their trump card, with McEvoy, Havern (2), and James Guinness seeing their efforts rewarded with orange flags.
Roscommon had the chance to score a third goal when Diarmuid Murtagh got on the end of the flowing move and was fouled but O’Hara atoned for his earlier mistake by saving Enda Smith’s resultant penalty, with the rebound blocked out for a ’45 that came to nothing.
Down defender Peter Fegan was shown a black card late in the half, but last year’s Tailteann Cup champions were looking good at the break, five points to the good.
Conor Laverty’s side, through points from Gareth McKibben and Havern, pushed out their advantage to seven points on the resumption but Roscommon eventually wrestled back the initiative.
Shane Cunnane landed his side’s first two-pointer as the Rossies ramped up the pressure.
Ben O’Carroll marked his introduction with a point and was later black-carded, while midfielder Eddie Nolan started and finished a fine move.
The game’s decisive moment arrived in the 58th minute. A great block by Colm Neary, who was making his Roscommon debut, saw Cian McKeon pick up possession. He floated a wonderful ball towards Ciaráin Murtagh who found the net from 40 yards out.
Down’s resistance was finally broken, despite points from play Paddy McCarthy and Danny Magill, but Roscommon’s third two-pointer from Diarmuid Murtagh was followed by routine scores by Murtagh (2), Donie Smith and Daire Cregg to leave the home side seven-point winners at the end of what was an enjoyable if sometimes chaotic encounter.
Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Colm Neary, Pearse Frost, Niall Higgins; Brian Stack, Shane Cunnane (0-02, 1 tp), Tim Lambe; Eddie Nolan (0-01), Keith Doyle; Shane Killoran (0-01), Ultan Harney, Enda Smith (1-01); Diarmuid Murtagh (0-07, 1 tp, 3f), Cian McKeon (1-01), Daire Cregg (0-04, 2f).
Subs: Ciaráin Murtagh (1-02, 1 tp) for Killoran (h-t), Senan Lambe for Tim Lambe (37), Ben O’Carroll (0-01) for Harney (37), Dylan Ruane for Doyle (46), Donie Smith (0-01) for Ruane (60)
Down: John O’Hare; Peter Fegan; Ryan McEvoy (1-02, 1 tp), Hugh Pat McGeary; Paddy McCarthy (0-01), Pierce Laverty; Eoin McCrickard; Daniel Guinness, Odhran Murdock (0-01); Ceilum Doherty, James Guinness (0-02, 1 tp), Danny Magill (0-02); Gareth McKibben (0-01), Pat Havern (0-11, 3 tpf, 1 tp, 2f), Ryan Magill.
Subs: Micheal Rooney for McGeary (27), Conor McCrickard for Eoin McCrickard (62), Oisín Savage for O’Hara (66)
Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).
