All on the line for Roscommon in Aughrim
Darragh Finn and the Roscommon senior hurlers have a huge game against Wicklow on Saturday.
For the Roscommon senior hurlers it boils down to this — a do or die showdown against Wicklow at Echelon Park, Aughrim, on Saturday (throw-in is at 1.30 p.m.).
This is the defining game of the season. A win and Roscommon will secure their Christy Ring Cup status. A draw or defeat, and Roscommon will finish at the foot of the table with their only hope of survival coming from New York winning the Nickey Rackard Cup.
Brian Hanley’s charges came close to upsetting Donegal before being forced to settle for a draw last weekend. Can they back up a big performance with another one?
The logistics of facing successive away games in Letterkenny and Aughrim are tricky but since the outset of the year, Roscommon’s year was always going to be judged by how they fared against Donegal and Wicklow in the championship.
Roscommon produced a smash and grab display to defeat Wicklow by two points in the opening round of the league as Adam Donnelly netted an injury-time free. Since then, Wicklow were crowned league champions while Roscommon missed out on promotion to Division Two.
Wicklow secured a priceless victory against Derry at home in their second championship game, showing how tough it can be to secure a result at Echelon Park.
Jonathan O’Neill’s side suffered a 32-point mauling at the hands of Kerry last time out but there will surely be a reaction to that chastening defeat. Roscommon have produced some encouraging moments in the last two games, but with home advantage and a point to prove, Wicklow might just have enough.
