NUIG manager Eoin O'Donnellan who says competitions like the FBD League would be all the poorer if third-level colleges were not involved.

NUIG 0-16
Roscommon 1-7

NUIG manager Eoin O'Donnellan says that the participation of third-level colleges vastly improve competitions like the FBD League.

And the former Galway selector, who guided Salthill/Knocknacarra to All-Ireland club glory two years ago, says that the involvement of the colleges allows county managers room to experiment.

"Competitions like the FBD League would not continue without the colleges. The competition allows the colleges prepare for the Sigerson Cup and county teams can try out more fringe players.

"It is a win-win situation and it is a bit insulting to hear some managers and other commentators say that the colleges have nothing to offer.

"How can colleges be blamed for burnout when the likes of last year's U-21 championship is still going on," said O'Donnellan who is in charge of the NUIG team along with Salthill colleague Maurice Sheridan, the former Mayo star.

Their charges proved too good at Dangan on Sunday as Roscommon fell to their second defeat in the FBD League.

John Maughan's men were unable to build on a glorious start when Conor Devanney blasted home 1-1 in the opening three minutes.

But NUIG bounced back with Galway star Sean Armstrong and David Conway of Laois both hitting a brace of points and Carlow's Paul Broderick landing three to help them to a 0-9 to 1-5 interval lead. Broderick continued to find the range with regularity after the restart before John Collins and Senan Kilbride reduced the deficit to a goal.

However, that was near as they got as Broderick added two more along with an effort from Brendan Guckian.

NUIG: L Grant; P Healy, S Drake, P Gleeson; C Barrett, G Bradshaw (0-1), D Gavigan; D Duffy, B Guckian (0-1); M Ronaldson, S Armstrong (0-2 1f), J Farrell; P Broderick (0-9,5fs), J Connellan (0-1), D Conway (0-2,1f). Subs: J Healy for Gleeson 27 mins, F Breathnach for Farrell 36 mins, C Leyden for Gavigan 60 mins.

Roscommon: M Miley; P O'Connor, A McDermott, R Dooner; N Carty, D. O'Gara, D Hoey; A Dockery, M Finneran; C Devanney (1-2, 1f), S O'Neill (0-1), J Rogers; S Kilbride (0-2), J Dunning, J Collins (0-2,1f,145). Subs: D. Hardiman for Carty 40 mins.

Referee: R Gurren.

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