Roscommon had that sinking feeling even after winning by 24 points at Ballyragget yesterday. The size of their winning margin was not enough to catapult them into the knockout stages of the league. The victors led 2-8 to 0-2 at half-time with Frankie Dolan goaling twice: he completed his hat-trick in the second half.

ROSCOMMON: D Thompson; D Gavin, D Donlon, E Gavin; R Callaghan, C McDonald, M Ryan; G Keane, T Ryan; C Connolly (1-3), D Doughan (0-8), A Nolan (0-1); F Dolan (3-1), F Grehan (0-1), L Dowd (0-1). Sub: N Dineen for L Dowd,

KILKENNY: E Mulrooney; J Gaule, N Morrissey, G Campion; J Lonergan, P Mullally, P Fewer; P Brennan (0-1), R Mullally; M Dunne, J Phelan (0-1), C O'Conghaile; P Carroll, J Murphy, M Gordon (0-1). Subs: P Buggy for J Murphy; JP Corcoran for J Gaule; D Buggy for P Carroll.

Referee: W Power (Waterford).