A reminder why we love the game

Famous Italian soccer manager Arrigo Saachi once stated that the sport he loved and dedicated his life towards was “the most important of the unimportant things in life.” 

The past week has been a timely reminder of the role our national games play in our lives and in our psyches.

Even people living under a rock would have seen clips of Mayo supporters and players rightfully revelling in their All-Ireland success over the past week. Mayo’s win won’t solve the housing crisis nor reduce the significant spending on the National Children’s Hospital. But, the past week, including Sunday last, was a reminder of the joy our national games can bring.

Helena Cummins’ mentioning of Marie McAleer and Rochelle Mullaney in her post-match speech was, in a way, a nod to Saachi’s quote. Roscommon’s performance was a fitting tribute to all those who have passed since their last intermediate success 21 years ago and their last appearance in Croke Park back in 2001.

After so many hard luck stories over the years, it is hard to believe that three All-Ireland titles have made their way to Connacht in the space of seven days. Meanwhile, with Roscommon being crowned All-Ireland U-16 B champions and reaching an All-Ireland Minor A final last month, the ladies’ teams have done a magnificent job in representing the county.

Helena Cummins told the Roscommon Herald prior to this game that watching the team of ’05 lifting the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup inspired her. Now, Cummins and the crew of 2026 have sown the seeds for the young Rossies in the stands and all those watching from afar that they too can dream big.

Every player the Roscommon Herald has asked for an interview — either post-game or even in the lead-up to a big game — obliged with their time, providing a refreshing honesty that shows the selflessness and togetherness within the group. The county has terrific ambassadors.

Although Roscommon didn’t end a 75-year wait for national glory, the way they ended their own 21-year pursuit to lift the Mary Quinn Memorial Cup was highly satisfying for everyone of a Roscommon vintage.

Since I started working with the Roscommon Herald in March 2024, this is the second time witnessing a team from the county win a national title in Croke Park, after the hurlers lifted the Nickey Rackard Cup last year.

Those games, barring the final result, could not have differed more as the hurlers struck in injury time to defy their underdog status against Mayo and win by a point. That game had everyone on tenterhooks until the end.

Meanwhile, Roscommon’s intermediate team (when do we start calling them senior team?) did something that very few teams from Connacht have ever done. They won an All-Ireland final without leaving supporters wondering with five minutes to go if there was a defibrillator nearby should the need arise?

I heard some neutrals talking on the way out after the final game of Sunday’s triple header that the Roscommon game was “boring.” For a neutral that is understandable. For Roscommon’s flagship ladies’ team, it doesn’t matter a jot.

They deserve enormous credit, not just for winning but for the way in which they simply dismantled a Fermanagh side with Croke Park experience. Roscommon relished the vast expanses of GAA Headquarters as, unsurprisingly, Aisling Feely and Caoimhe Lennon shone on the biggest stage.

Lennon’s 2026 has gone under the radar, but she kicked a mightily impressive tally of 10-20 across league and championship this year to finish as the county’s top scorer for 2026. Her ability to get Roscommon up the pitch was an underrated element of her side’s opening half display.

Meanwhile, Aisling Feely made Croke Park her playground in the opening half as she tormented the Fermanagh defence. Further out the field, Ella Thompson’s driving runs caused endless problems for the Fermanagh defence. The St. Croan’s clubwoman kicked a combined 0-6 in her side’s last three games — a huge return from any wing-back.

To think herself and Feely only joined the panel late this year. How different this year could have been without the duo?

Quite frankly, any number of players could be mentioned here but Saoirse Wynne was magnificent once more. She has revelled in the role as sweeper and even managed to take her own game to new heights. Wynne is a player who deserves to be facing the very best and playing in the top tier next season.

For Finbar Egan and his extensive backroom team, this has been a masterclass in keeping faith with a group of players, making the necessary tactical adjustments and giving them the freedom to express themselves — all within a well-constructed gameplan.

Few would have been able to revive Roscommon’s fortunes following the Connacht final reversal but yet fast forward three months and the county has enjoyed one of its greatest days.

It was interesting to see after the senior final that some people are stating their grave concern that ladies’ football is in deep trouble. The showpiece event on the LGFA’s biggest day won’t live long in the memory for neutrals who tuned in.

But all you need to do is look at the men’s game for hope that the entertainment level in ladies’ football will rise. The 2025 championship was decent but teams improvised more in year two, which led to the greatest championship many of us have ever witnessed. Let’s not bemoan the LGFA’s rules yet.

Give it a year, or even two, to truly see the effect of the widespread changes within ladies’ football. If the LGFA wanted this scribe’s opinion (they almost certainly don’t nor would I blame them for not wanting it), copying the men’s game and banning the backpass to the goalkeeper would be a great start as it would encourage teams to be more aggressive in the press.

Roscommon will need to adapt to the rules once more next year — all the while competing against the very best team in the land. What a position to be in. Roll on 2027.