Roscommon 2-9 Carlow 1-10:Andy Shortall's Carlow side showed marked improvement on recent performances but still came out on the wrong of this tie at Dr Cullen Park yesterday.

Two first-half goals from Roscommon's Karol Mannion and David Hoey provided the foundation for the Connacht county's narrow win.

Carlow were back in the game when JJ Smith finished to the Roscommon net.

Roscommon led 2-4 to 1-5 at half-time and extended the advantage to five points 21 minutes into the second half, 2-8 to 1-6.

Carlow finished the game well to come within two points by the hour mark. But their cause was damaged when Ronan McGrath received two yellow cards in the space of a few minutes.

ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; S Purcell, M Killilea, S McDermott; S Daly, John Nolan (Western Gaels), John Nolan (Roscommon Gaels); D Casey, M Finneran; G Cox (0-4, one free), K Mannion (1-0), J Tiernan (0-1); D Hoey (1-1), G Heneghan (0-2, one free), C Gregg (0-1). Subs: P O'Connor for John Nolan (Roscommon Gaels), R Dooner for John Nolan (Western Gaels), D Heaney for Hoey, R Kelly for McDermott.

CARLOW: J Clarke; J Ryan, B Leonard, M Nolan; P Cashin, C Bolger, A Murphy; M Brennan, R McGrath; J Hickey, M Carpenter (0-1), JJ Smith (1-0); B Kelly (0-5, frees), W Minchin, N Conway. Subs: P Reid (0-1) for Michin, J Byrne for Murphy, B Carbery (0-3, two frees) for Hickey (inj), B Farrell for Brennan, D Hayden for Conway.

Referee: S O'Shea (Wexford).