Dineen hoping to build on county final surge against Eastern Harps

Although it can be argued that any team who wins a county final will have momentum to bring forward to a provincial game, Elphin certainly appear to hold more than most as they prepare for their Connacht IFC semi-final showdown against Sligo champions Eastern Harps this weekend.

Even though Harps were able to line out last weekend, Nigel Dineen’s men should enter this contest with momentum from their memorable county final triumph over Strokestown.

Not only did Elphin prevail but they did so in a manner that was always set to bode well for their next encounter. The North Roscommon side faced an enormous test of their character when they saw their four point interval lead wiped away in the first 12 minutes of the final period.

A tense finale appeared in store but instead Elphin dug deep to plunder 1-5 without reply as their bench made a telling impact and their attack dazzled during this period.

Dineen believes his side’s fast finish last time out was another example of the strong character within the group.

“You need to make sure you are in a game first of all with 15 minutes to go. Against Strokestown, our defence was so solid that it gave our attack the platform to kick on. The last 15 minutes we really did kick on. We know we have forwards good enough to hurt teams, but you have to be in that position to kick on. That is why you need your defence to be solid.

“The goal was a momentum changer. For 15 minutes we were under serious pressure, but we weathered the storm. We had a reasonable lead at half time so when they came back at us, we still had enough of a lead built up before that, so we weren’t out of the game. Strokestown had to put a lot of effort to get it level but then we were able to get a score or two to give us breathing space.

“The lads have shown great character all year both in defence and in the forward line. They have worked really well for each other and the team. It has worked well for us, and we hope that the players will stand up to be counted and work for one another,” the Elphin manager explained.

Eastern Harps managed to come through their Connacht quarter final showdown with Leitrim’s Melvin Gaels.

As a result, the Sligo side will enjoy a crack at attempting to end Elphin’s year. Dineen is on red alert for the challenge his side will face from the Sligo champions.

“Eastern Harps would always have been associated with a senior team in Sligo. They have great tradition and history. I know they have some great quality in their side. They won their Sligo final comfortably so we know they will be a very, very good side. With the young panel they have they will want to have a crack,” he noted.

The Connacht intermediate club championship has been kind to Roscommon teams in recent times.

Elphin will be aiming to ensure Roscommon are represented in the Connacht final at this grade for the fourth year in a row. Dineen believes that teams at the top end of the intermediate championship having experience of senior football and a belief that they belong at the top table has helped to ensure Roscommon have fared well in this competition in recent times.

“Teams have done well in the past, but it is 2024 and we have to concentrate on our own game. Roscommon teams have traditionally been good and a lot of teams that have won would probably feel they are very close to being senior teams anyway.

“Strokestown, Elphin and even Tulsk are teams that have played senior football for a long, long time and although they have dropped down, they have experience of playing top teams. Boyle too went down but they are playing senior football now.

“With the intermediate championship in Roscommon, the top two or three teams would consider themselves close enough to playing senior football on a consistent basis,” the Elphin manager concluded.