Heads up, it's the Herald's Intermediate Football Team of Week
Seán Trundle was one of St. Brigid's standout performers as they saw off St. Michael's last weekend.
The goalkeeping spot saw intense competition once again as Marcus Feeney impressed for Shannon Gaels as his side only lost one kickout throughout.
However, we have gone for Seán O’Rourke with the Creggs shotstopper denying Conor Cox a goal that would have given Éire Óg an insurmountable lead. O’Rourke was assured throughout as he played a major role in giving his side a fighting chance.
Despite his side shipping three goals in a damaging defeat to St. Brigid’s, Rob Gillespie was a leading light for St. Michael’s.
Their 11-point defeat to St. Brigid’s could have been worse had it not been for a few vital turnovers that Gillespie managed to win. Despite the avalanche of pressure the St. Michael’s rearguard faced, Gillespie never shirked his defensive responsibilities.
Despite Éire Óg putting themselves in harm’s way by coughing up the final four points against Creggs, Barron was the epitome of calmness and composure throughout.
He marshalled a defensive unit that performed exceptionally well against a talented Creggs attack and even though he had quality operators in Colm Lavin behind him and Jarlath Lavin in front, Barron led the way once more to be named in the Roscommon Herald Team of the Week.
Trundle held off stiff competition to be named by the Roscommon Herald as Player of the Match following his side’s facile victory over St. Michael’s.
The former Roscommon underage player highlighted his side’s dominance when shrugging off Seán Farrell and kicking a fine first-half score. The effort put St. Brigid’s seven up with last year’s Junior A champions never threatening a comeback as Trundle, who was St. Brigid’s defensive lynchpin on the day, marshalling a dominant defence.
The wing-back was part of a defensive unit that restricted Kilbride to just three scores in over an hour of football.
Elphin’s defensive system will face far greater tests from here on out, but Rattigan made his influence felt in the middle third. He claimed four Kilbride restarts in the opening half alone while he helped provide the defensive bedrock that allowed the attacking unit to shine.
The pressure on the Shannon Gaels defence will surely rise tenfold from here on out with a juicy final round game against Elphin to come.
After conceding 1-13 to Kilbride, albeit they took their foot fof the gas when leading 3-9 to 0-6 at the interval, this was a step up defensively.
Even though Pádraig Pearses are struggling, restricting any team to just four points is impressive. Sweeney anchored the defence with aplomb by doing the basics to a high standard.
Two points from wing back in a "must win" encounter for Fuerty last weekend sees Mark Ward included.
He kicked a fine early score to help Fuerty open a 0-6 to no score lead after 17 minutes while he also found the target late on in a dominant second half.
Even though they conceded three goals, Fuerty’s defence improved in the second half while Ward’s willingness to provide probing runs from deep, keeping St. Croan’s honest.
He was unfortunate not to make the Roscommon Herald Team of the Week after the opening round of games, but Harmon could not be overlooked this time around. He started in midfield but reverted to a more attacking role when Brendan Kennedy was forced off early.
Harmon showed his natural attacking instincts when plundering 1-2. He kicked the opening score of the game despite being under severe pressure as he set the tone for a dominant Shannon Gaels side.
In a competitive line of the field, Kilmore’s Gary Connellan can consider himself unfortunate not to be included. However, Beirne was a model of consistency for Strokestown with some excellent interplay involving him and Mikey Kavanagh setting up David Neary for a fantastic point that helped make it 2-6 to 0-3 at half time.
His use of possession is often shrewd while he provides a much-needed stability in the middle third for Strokestown.
The dual star produced a top notch display to fire in 1-3 as he proved a handful for the St. Michael’s defence throughout.
His booming score in the opening quarter was a sign of things to come as he brought pace and verve to the St. Brigid’s attack. Dolan grabbed the goal his performance deserved late on as he fielded a long delivery before dispatching to the back of the net.
Will be a key figure if St. Brigid’s are to truly challenge Strokestown next time out.
Diarmuid McGann made the biggest impact for Strokestown in their comfortable win over Kilmore and reached the highest peak when in full flow.
McGann kicked 1-5 from centre-forward and took his goal well when finishing soccer style to the net to give his side an unassailable nine-point half-time buffer.
He starred when the game was in the melting pot, kicking three early points and providing a deft flick that led to Luke Kelly’s opening goal.
Was this Conor Cox at his absolute, clinical best? No.
Did he still kick nine points with some beautiful scores thrown in for good measure? Yes.
Éire Óg’s defensive solidity was the cornerstone of their three-point victory over Creggs but Cox kicking nine of their 0-13 tally was also a vital element. He was denied a goal by Seán O’Rourke in the first half but his six-point haul in the opening period and three scores in the third quarter paved the way for his side to edge home.
A classy display from Bourke helped Shannon Gaels secure another large victory, this time over Pádraig Pearses.
Bourke kicked, 1-5, 1-4 of which came from play to back up the 1-6 he scored last time out against Kilbride. He was Shannon Gaels’ main long ball option throughout the game, as they looked to work the ball to him each time from their successful long kickout strategy. Interesting to see how he goes against Elphin.
After a strong showing against Éire Óg in the opening round of games, Gearóid Ennis backed that performance up in some style as he kicked 0-10 in an awesome all-round display.
Ennis is one of the best free-takers in the county while he also showed he can affect the game outside of that, kicking five points from play. He set the tone early with a hat trick of points while his ability to find a score at the right moment was a key component in Fuerty’s crucial win.
It was an easy choice to include Fintan Cregg this week. Although some of his team-mates can feel hard done by after missing out in attack, Cregg could not be overlooked as Elphin kicked 1-22 against an overwhelmed Kilbride.
Cregg filled his boots as he grabbed eight points with six of those coming from open play. He rolled back the years particularly when kicking two majestic scores from underneath the clubhouse at Orchard Park. It would be hard to find a better pair of points across last weekend’s games.
