Cream rises to the top in Senior Football Team of the Year
Caelim Keogh and Niall Daly lift the Fahey Cup to confirm Pádraig Peasrses as 2024 Roscommon senior football champions following their victory against Roscommon Gaels.
After a memorable Hodson Bay Hotel sponsored senior championship came to a close last weekend, we pick the 15 men that shone brightest in trying to will their team to senior championship glory.
Fetherstone just beats Paul Whelan to the goalkeeper’s spot on our Team of the Year. The Roscommon Gaels goalkeeper didn’t put a foot wrong all year as it is easy to forget how vital his interception of Cathal Heneghan’s pass to Niall Heneghan was in the semi final thriller against Michael Glaveys.
His kickouts gave the two Marks – Purcell and Healy - every opportunity in midfield while he has the ability to command the defence while always appearing in control while enjoying possession.
Carty continues to lead from the front and was orchestrating proceedings for much of the county final with manager Frank Canning able to use David Murray in a more advanced role due to the comfort in having Carty being able to hold the fort when needed.
The former Roscommon captain did get forward himself in another display of his versatility while he proved a nightmare for opposition attackers all year.
Another integral part of a Pearses defence that conceded a combined total of just 1-12 in their two biggest games of the year. When you consider Roscommon Gaels kicked five points in a row late on, it shows how excellent the Pearses defence was for roughly 115 minutes of their past two games.
Keogh’s ability to hoover up possession in front of his full back line is a valuable asset as his intelligence in and out of possession also keeps this Pearses side ticking.
He was electrifying during the group stage, making the Herald Senior Team of the Week twice in the first three weeks.
Gavin was central to his side’s turnaround against Pearses producing some key plays on the defensive end while he was outstanding against St. Dominic’s, kicking 2-2. Came off the bench against St. Faithleach’s and buried the injury time goal to send the contest to extra time while being among his side’s best on show despite his late arrival.
Kenny has been a major weapon for Pádraig Pearses at both ends of the pitch. A player willing to do the unseen side of the game with the minimum of fuss all while driving forward with a relentless intensity in attack.
He set the tone against Clann with an all action display while Kenny relished the knockout stages, producing a determined showing against St. Brigid’s before netting a lovely goal against St. Faithleach’s. An easy inclusion.
Nerney played a starring role as his side defied the odds to reach a county semi final. His level of performance kicked up a gear from the third round on as he was unlucky not to be named Man of the Match following his side’s loss to Michael Glaveys.
He helped St. Faithleach’s come through a banana skin preliminary quarter final before backing it up big time against Clann. Nerney battled against the tide in the semi final as his leadership was pivotal all year.
A massive year for the young Roscommon Gaels wingback as he led from the front during Roscommon Gaels’ journey to this year’s county final. His tour de force in the semi final, particularly late on, will be remembered for time to come. Lambe’s two points in injury time were of the highest quality given the circumstances.
Didn’t get the chance to flourish in the final but still his consistency during the campaign cannot be forgotten.
Niall Daly’s quality or leadership ability has never been in question, but he took both up another few gears during this campaign. His presence off the bench against St. Brigid’s swung the pendulum his side’s way while his block on Diarmuid Murtagh in the semi final ended St. Faithleach’s hopes.
Kicked a trademark point in the final in a campaign where he showed his grit once more by fighting through the pain barrier.
With Mark Dowd giving youth its fling, there is no doubt that Mark Purcell holds enormous significance within the Roscommon Gaels dressing room. He stepped up when needed most against Michael Glaveys while he helped the Gaels gain control of midfield against Pearses during their revival.
Competition was strong for the midfield sector with Conor Ryan, Mark Healy and Caoileann Fitzmaurice all in contention. However, Purcell’s ability to strike over crucial frees and be an enforcer sees him worthy of inclusion.
Given how the Kiltoom side’s year ended, it is easy to forget how influential Conor Hand was for a St. Brigid’s side that looked imperious before running into the new champions. Hand offers a different dynamic to this St. Brigid’s side while his direct running and ability to pick a pass central to how the Kiltoom side like to operate.
His talent on the club stage has been apparent for the past few seasons while he proved more of a scoring threat in the absence of Ben O’Carroll.
Glennon produced in the big moments during Glaveys’ memorable run to the final four. The quarter final against Oran immediately springs to mind as Oran completed their own Houdini act with Glennon starring late on. His ability under the high ball saw him shrug off Jack Casey to net and kickstart the revival in a game where he scored 1-4.
He was central to his side booking an automatic quarter final berth while he stood up in the semi final with two fine points from play.
The bigger the stage the bigger Cathal Heneghan’s influence was. He lit it up during Michael Glaveys’ semi final thriller, bagging 1-2 while his fingerprints were all over much of his side’s fine play during the contest.
It is easy to forget how important the win over St. Faithleach’s was for Michael Glaveys but Cathal Heneghan popped up with 1-2 and set up Dylan Ruane for a breakaway goal that truly kickstarted their campaign.
Being a Pearses forward often means those numbered one to nine get the limelight but Carey’s work on and off the ball sees him worthy of inclusion. His ability from the dead ball is and will continue to be vital for however long Pearses’ campaign stretches. His link up play was also sharp throughout as his work in the lead up to Eoin Colleran’s goal may go under the radar but was no doubt crucial.
In his column with the Roscommon Herald a few weeks ago, Michael Finneran expressed his frustration at how inter county players get held to a much higher standard with regards to receiving praise for their club performances.
Although Diarmuid Murtagh can be held to a different standard than most, there can be no denying that he was pivotal in St. Faithleach’s progressing further than many thought possible by producing one of the all time great displays in Roscommon club football.
McGuinness was undoubtedly his side’s best forward in a county final where the Gaels were looking to end a 20 year famine. Dealing with the weight of history while kicking 1-2 on a miserable day all at the tender age of 18 is highly encouraging.
Although his colleague Ryan Conlon can consider himself desperately unfortunate to not be included, McGuinness was also sensational in the semi final where he did the spade work for Tim Lambe’s late equaliser. A really exciting young talent.
