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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Roscommon must pull out all the stops
The Roscommon U-21 football team will carry the hopes of a county when they make their entrance in the provincial championship race on Saturday next at 2.30 p.m. in Charlestown.
The momentous events of three years ago has understandably created huge expectation.
Yet the players that brought honour and glory to the primrose and blue at minor level in 2006 couldn’t have asked for a more difficult start in their quest to win Roscommon’s first U-21 title in ten years.
Supporters have been murmuring about provincial and possible AllIreland success.
Yet it’s impossible to realistically entertain those notions until Roscommon flex their muscles on the championship stage. Dreams could lie in ruins on Saturday evening next.
It’s as simple as that. It’s also fair to suggest that Roscommon’s season will be probably be defined by this weekend’s trip to Charlestown.
Win and the momentum will be huge. Lose and a glorious opportunity will have been spurned.
It says something about the impact of Roscommon’s minor success three years ago that pretty much the same personnel are still on board alongside a couple of excellent minors from the last two years.
The team’s form is very good coming into this match although a one-point loss in a challenge game against Tipperary last week should ensure that feet are kept firmly on the ground ahead of this game.
The nature of Saturday’s opposition should ensure that Roscommon will be focussed and know what’s required.
Mayo have a tough championship game behind them, have home advantage and will be keen to ensure that the pecking order in Connacht isn’t altered.
From a Roscommon perspective, is there a more difficult way to get a championship campaign underway?
Unlike other Roscommon teams that have tried unsuccessfully to taste provincial success since 1999, this side are the best equipped and will carry the most expectation to set the record straight.
It’s a big ask but if any team are capable of scaling the summit, one has to be convinced that it’s this team.
It’s also fair to say that Roscommon are getting closer.
Those dramatic final moments in Kiltoom last year when Cathal Cregg hit the crossbar with practically the last kick of the provincial final against Mayo still linger in the memory.
The bulk of Saturday’s starting 15 were involved in that contest and the aftermath of what might have been is sure to act as a major incentive to enter Roscommon GAA folklore.
Mike Ryan could pick any one of 20 players on Saturday and it will be still regarded as a strong team.
The side’s strength in depth is a major asset and one hopes that Ryan will be ruthless in terms of making substitutions if players aren’t doing their stuff.
How Neil Collins fares in the full-back line, Donie Shine’s contribution from frees and Roscommon’s scoring threat in the forwards represent three of the key components surrounding Saturday’s game.
If all three come up trumps from a Roscommon perspective, a place in the Connacht final might be well on the way to being assured.
One also has to believe that the natural confidence flowing through the veins of these players will also be crucial to Saturday’s outcome.
They’re not intimidated by ‘big-name’ teams and rely on their own ability and that of their team-mates to get them over the finishing line.
Apart from injury concerns over Conor Devaney, Cathal McHugh and Alan O’Hara, Roscommon should have a full hand to pick from.
Devaney’s loss would be sorely felt as he can manufacture or grab a score out of nothing.
A county holds its breath. After suffering so much to the likes of Mayo and Galway for the last ten years at this grade, the time has surely come to reverse the trend.
When these players were at minor level three years ago, getting over the “big two” opened up a whole new land of opportunity.
Although the U-21 grade is a totally different ball game, history has a funny habit of repeating itself. It has been a long time coming.
Hopefully next Saturday afternoon will be worth the wait.
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