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Friday, June 25, 2010
Roscommon turn things around
Last Sunday must have been one of the hottest days of the year so far.
A crowd of almost 12,000 basked in Hyde Park sunshine to see Roscommon beat Leitrim by five points in an entertaining Connacht semi-final.
A huge crowd of Leitrim supporters were present, no doubt to pay tribute to the late Philly McGuinness who played in last year’s game in Carrick. Little did we think a year ago in Carrick that just 12 months later we would be standing for a minute’s silence to pay tribute to a player who was so full of life and action in that game.
It was a nice gesture on the part of the Leitrim County Board to rest the number 10 jersey this year.
Leitrim supporters were definitely hoping that his memory would inspire his team-mates to cause an upset despite having to field without some of their star players due to injury.
The atmosphere in Hyde Park was pleasant. The pitch looked in excellent condition and a fresh breeze blew down the field from the town goals.
Thankfully, there wasn’t a single vuvuzela to be heard in the crowd. I saw a young lad blowing one in Fuerty later on Sunday evening. Wonders will never cease.
I hope GAA supporters will never have their ear drums assaulted by that deafening noise that resembles a thousand swarms of bees buzzing outside the window. Leitrim shaded the first half.
Roscommon’s performance in that first-half is best forgotten. All that is wrong with football in the county was in evidence in the opening quarter.
The handling of the ball was dire, passes went astray, players couldn’t buy a breaking ball in the middle third of the field and the Leitrim forwards were given far too much space.
Leitrim showed a greater hunger, were more inventive, hoovered up practically every breaking ball around the middle of the field and took some good scores.
It took Roscommon 28 minutes to get the first score from play, a fine effort from Ger Heneghan. The free taking of Donal Shine kept Roscommon in touch in that first-half.
John Rogers had a goal chance before half-time but his left footed shot hit the side netting. Leitrim led by 0-8 to 07 at the break.
This game was won for Roscommon in the first ten minutes of the second-half. In that period they hit 1-2 without reply. This was due mainly to the dominance of Karol Mannion and Michael Finneran at midfield.
Roscommon began to pick up the breaks and run at the Leitrim defence. Cathal Cregg, in particular, after a quiet first-half showed a great turn of speed and kicked a fine point to level the scores. Karol Mannion kicked a great point from the 45-metre line.
The turning point of the game came in the 45th minute when Karol Mannion floated a high ball into the Leitrim goalmouth which the Leitrim full-back John McKeon failed to hold and only succeeded in knocking the ball into the hands of Donal Shine.
The big Clann man gave the Leitrim goalkeeper no chance with a low drive to the corner of the net.
That goal worked wonders for Roscommon. It gave the players confidence and they proceeded to play some attractive football from there to the end.
It was in sharp contrast to the first-half display. Leitrim only managed three points in the entire second-half, all frees from the boot of Michael Foley.
Roscommon outscored them by 1-6 to 03 in the second-half. All but one of Roscommon’s secondhalf scores came from play. The wind, which aided Roscommon in the second half, was also a factor. Overall, it was a reasonably satisfactory display from Roscommon.
They set out in the championship to get to a Connacht final and that has now been achieved. Even the most fanatical supporter of the primrose and blue would have to admit that there must be a serious improvement for the final.
If Roscommon play in the first-half of the final they way they did in the first half last Sunday, then the game will be over long before the half time whistle. But a final is a final and it is a different game. Roscommon won’t be under any pressure.
Whether their opponents are Sligo or Galway, Roscommon will still be rank outsiders. In 2007 few gave Sligo any chance of beating Galway in the final in Hyde Park and look what happened. The final, however, is a discussion for another day.
There were some positives in Roscommon’s play on Sunday. Geoffrey Claffey was very safe in goals and his kickouts were very good in both halves. The Leitrim goalkeeper struggled with his kickout in the second half.
Claffey made one spectacular catch under a high ball under pressure. I was happy with the fullback line. We must have one of the smallest fullback lines in the country but they are three very good footballers.
Peter Domican had a fine game at full-back and what he lacks in height he makes up for in his anticipation and reading of the game.
Seánie McDermott and Stephen Ormsby played well in the corners. I was a bit concerned at the amount of space the Leitrim half-forwards got, especially in the first half.
I would be worried about our half-back line for the final but David Casey had a fine game throughout. He came up the field and scored a vital point in the second half.
Karol Mannion had a fine second-half and Michael Finneran tried hard throughout. The amount of breaks that Leitrim picked up in the middle third, particularly in the first half, was worrying.
I would like to see Seamus O’Neill making an appearance on the team. I am told that he is playing well for Kilbride and it is a pity that he has decided to opt out of the county scene this year.
His physical presence in the middle of the field would be a major boost to the team. Cathal Cregg and Ger Heneghan were very impressive in the left flank of the forward line.
Cregg did effectively in the second half what he is best at, running at the opposing back line. He scored two good points from play. David Keenan carried the ball well and got in an amount of good work.
I think Paul Garvey would be more effective in the right corner than on the ‘40. Things didn’t go well for him on Sunday but he is still a fine player and has a lot to offer the team.
John Rogers was in hard luck that he didn’t score a goal just before half-time and he kicked a good point from play in the second-half.
Donal Shine kicked some great frees and he took his goal well. He ended up with a personal tally of 1-7 and is adding to his reputation as one of the top marksmen in the country.
Pat Spillane was positive in his analysis of the game on the Sunday Game and he seemed to be impressed by the direct football both teams played. That is encouraging. Before the final I would recommend that the Roscommon players sit down and watch videos of the Kerry forwards in action.
Paul Galvin, for all his temper problems, is arguably the best reader of the breaking ball in the game. He is worth watching, at least for that aspect of his game.
Next Sunday
Roscommon’s Connacht final opponents should be known next Sunday afternoon provided the semifinal clash between Sligo and Galway in Pearse Stadium doesn’t end in a draw.
This could be the game of the championship. Many would regard it as the real Connacht final. The winners will be overwhelming favourites against Roscommon.
Sligo footballers have won many admirers this year. They play a lovely brand of fast open football and they have fine footballers in every line of the field. They were very impressive in the first round against Mayo and will travel to Galway hoping to cause an upset. They stretched Galway to the limit in Markievicz Park last year and their present form would suggest that they are quite capable of taking the scalp of Galway in their own back yard.
Sligo have two of the finest corner-backs in the game in Charlie Harrison and Ross O’Donovan. If there is a weakness, it is full-back Noel McGuire who has not been playing very well this year. In the halfback line little Johnny Davey is a revelation.
Pound for pound he must be one of the best wing backs in the game.
Tony Taylor and Stephen Gilmartin dominated the midfield exchanges against Mayo and could trouble the Galway pair on Sunday. Sligo have some fine forwards. Eamon O’Hara can play anywhere and was an inspiration against Mayo.
He was particularly effective when brought back as a sweeper in front of the full back line. Mark Breheny, Alan Costello, Colm McGee and David Kelly are all forwards who can score.
Galway had a tough game against New York in the first round. I was talking to a Donegal man who was at the game and he argues that Galway were very lucky to win. I expect Galway to be a different outfit in Pearse Stadium. If Michael Meehan is fit to play he will test the Sligo full back line.
Joe Kernan will be anxious to land Connacht title for Galway in his first year. Kevin Walsh will be equally anxious to prove to Galway that maybe he should have been chosen as their manager.
It is a hard game to call. It could well be a draw in this year of draws.
I fancied Galway from the start to win out in Connacht this year and I will still stick by them to scrape through narrowly.
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