Duignan realistic about 'serious' Mayo challenge
WE'VE DONE IT: The Roscommon minor footballers react to getting the better of Galway and qualifying for this Friday evening's Connacht final against Mayo at Dr. Hyde Park. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
Roscommon minor football manager, James Duignan, admits that his side need to be realistic about the magnitude of the challenge they face in Friday (tomorrow) evening's Connacht final at Dr. Hyde Park.
Despite beating Galway twice to reach the decider, the Rossies will be very much the underdogs against a Mayo team that have swept all before them, including Roscommon in the opening round, in the province this season.
"Mayo are a serious outfit. We have to be realistic. They have beaten everybody in Connacht this year. We need to recover this week and give it our best shot next Friday evening. It’s great that’s in the Hyde. I would encourage every club to try and get their underage players out to the game. These young lads deserve a big following," he said following his side's seven-point victory against Galway in Tuam Stadium.
The reward for last Friday evening's big win against Galway is a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals against Munster opposition irrespective of what happens against Mayo who are going for three-in-a-row.
“We’re in the Connacht final, but that gets us into the All-Ireland Series.
“These lads will develop no end playing against top teams. We know what’s ahead of us next Friday evening. What’s coming down the track will be very tough, but I’m delighted for the players. They came to Tuam and their work over the last six months was rewarded. They deserve to be in the final,” he felt.
Roscommon’s rising stock at underage level has made headlines this season, but Duignan was quick to acknowledge the work that has gone into his current crop of players over the years.
“It’s down to the underage coaching in Roscommon. There are right good players around the county. My first year in Roscommon was with this year’s U-20 group, so I was delighted for them. Either way, we’re in an All-Ireland quarter-final now, and we’re looking forward to it.
“I’d have to compliment the work that Padraig Kelly, Donal Carroll, Declan O’Flaherty and John Kennedy did with this group before we got our hands on them. They had them for two or three years in development squads and got them ready to train for us.”
