From bowiki

The single ended roll is a contemporary type of fill or ornamentation ordinarily applied by users of the style of playing often known as 'Top End' but is also usable in traditional 'kerry' play.

The roll is useful because often a Single Ended player will have their hand above the rim of the drum and therefore traditional triplet-style ornamentation with the top of the tipper can be difficult if not impossible.

As well as not using the top end of the stick. It differs from the traditional Triplet in that any combination of strokes is theoretically possible. If you can play it on two hands on your knees you can play it as a single ended pattern. It appears to appeal particularly to players who have drumset or snare drumming experience and those non-traditional drum rhythms are a common feature of single end play. With the direct transferrence of snare drumming's left & right notation to up & down for single ended striking, many of the standard snare drum rudiments are immediately useable as practise exercises.

Single-ended playing techniques are promoted as an important part of your player 'toolbox', it will work in combination with Kerry triplet ornamentation if the physical setup permits. When single ended striking is combined with the Double Down stroke to allow the player to place the accents on a strong downstroke it becomes a powerful driving style of playing with a strong 'motor rhythm' component.

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Caveat: The single ended styles and techniques require almost constant rotation of the arm. Please ensure that you warm up before play and practise. This motion can be the cause of repetitive strain injuries, Carpal Tunnel Syndrom, Tennis Elbow and the like and Bodojo, BoWiki and/or its agents cannot be held responsible for your use of these motions in your musical pursuits.