Finn enjoying life at the coalface
UPWARD TRAJECTORY: Darragh Finn's burgeoning reputation was recognised by his selection on the recent GAA.ie Team of the Week following a stellar performance against Armagh. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
Darragh Finn can’t stop smiling.
When asked about his inclusion in the recent GAA.ie Team of the Week following his performance against Armagh, he prefers to focus on how his team-mates helped him make the cut and how important it is for Roscommon hurling to be recognised.
Yet, on a personal level, there’s no doubt that the Pádraig Pearses derived a great deal of satisfaction from being included alongside hurlers from counties like Cork and Limerick.
“It was all a bit unreal, but it was brilliant. It was great for the team, and great for Roscommon as well.
“I was delighted to get it, but it is down to the team. The big thing is to promote Roscommon hurling. That is something Brian (Hanley) is really pushing this year — to get more young lads involved and interested in the game,” the wing-back told the Roscommon Herald.
Brian Hanley’s first year in charge has got off to the perfect start with two wins from as many league games. Needless to say, the Pádraig Pearses clubman is enjoying his hurling ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Louth.
“He (Brian) has been very good so far. Everything is positive, there are no negatives. Our workrate is a big thing with him as well, especially when it is coming down to the last ten minutes of a match.
“That really showed in the Wicklow game. We never gave up and that was the same in the (Nickey Rackard) final last year. If you just keep working until the final whistle, the result will look after itself. That is his motto for the year,” the 24-year-old highlighted.
Throw in the fact that his brother Ronan made his senior intercounty debut against Wicklow, older brother Darragh admits that it is a source of pride for his family to have two representatives on the panel.
“It is great to be hurling with Ronan. Especially, in his first year and with us going well, it is really easy to come to the training and try to improve in an effort to take the next step.
Due to injuries and suspensions, Roscommon will be forced to contend without key personnel for their trip to Louth. Niall Fleming will be out for at least another month after suffering a thumb injury in Roscommon’s opening round league win over Wicklow, while Jack Donnelly is set to miss Saturday’s contest and the game against Tyrone the following weekend.
Cian Bowes, Jack Dowling and Daniel Staunton are suspended for the trip to Darver. However, Micheál Hussey and Liam Creavin are expected to be in contention for this Saturday’s tussle.
This year’s Division Three League campaign sees Roscommon play four games on the road. With their opening round win against Wicklow being held in King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park, Brian Hanley’s charges are now in the midst of a run, which sees three of their middle four games being held on away soil.
With a trip to Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver, looming this Saturday (throw-in at 2 p.m.)., Finn admits that away days can be a challenge. However, he feels that those trips tighten the bonds within the squad as Roscommon target a third win on the bounce.
“It is a full day, I suppose, but, at the end of the day, the pitch doesn’t matter a whole lot. You still have to go out and perform. It is always a small bit tougher going away from home, but it is a good help to strengthen the squad. You are spending three hours or so with your team-mates on the bus up and down.
“In my first year (in 2023), Louth came to the Hyde and beat us, which wasn’t expected. Louth have always had strong hurlers all the way through the middle. It is a nice spin up there, but once you get there, you have to perform.
“We’ll have to keep the workrate up and improve on the free count the last day. There were a lot of frees given away (against Armagh). We want to keep scores from play to a minimum but cut down on the free count as well,” he concluded.
