History and spirit helping Roscommon CBS' latest push for glory

For Roscommon CBS, this Saturday’s All-Ireland Colleges’ Senior B football semi-final showdown against St. Peter’s College, Dunboyne, at Abbotstown (throw in 3.45 p.m.) represents an opportunity to add to the fabled football history of the Roscommon Town school.

Despite their Connacht final loss to St. Attracta’s two years ago and their semi-final defeat to Dunmore Community School at the last four stage in 2024, Roscommon CBS possess a proud sporting tradition.

Their All-Ireland Senior B titles in 2019 and 2011, reaching the Hogan Cup decider in 2015 and, prior to that, winning the Connacht A title in 1998 represent moments in time that those associated with the school will never forget.

Despite their Meath foes possessing 28 players from St. Peter’s GAA Club Dunboyne, Roscommon CBS joint manager Eoghan Coll believes that this year’s group have formed a special bond of their own.

“It is very player-driven. They want it. They are interested and train well. We obviously put the stuff in place for them but plenty of management teams would have done that with players down the years.

“Maybe it is those losses or just the group of lads who are there. We tap into the fact that they have that desire, and they want to play for the team and for the jersey.

“The recent history of the teams in 2019, 2015 and 2011, and even though these guys are young, it is somewhat in their brain that this is attainable for them. There is a bit of grit and determination to push it on.

“I thought in the last ten minutes against Calasanctius (Connacht semi-final), we were pushing on that little bit harder, whether that was fitness or mentality. The attitude has been pretty good and if we can bring that on Saturday, it might not get you over the line, but it will certainly give you the best possible chance,” he noted.

Fellow joint manager Noel Moran feels that Roscommon CBS’ success this season has been built off the work done on the intercounty and club scenes.

“A lot of the squad and indeed the team that finished against (Scoil Mhuire) Strokestown have a lot of experience playing in big games and finals. You stretch it back the last number of years in B, they have been playing in semi-finals and finals. The likes of Eoghan Carthy, Michael Gillooly, Colin Murray, Martin Connaughton, they would have played in a Junior A final three years ago.

“Some guys like Sam Hannon, Chris Feerick, Colm Fitzgerald, they would have played in the Junior A final this year. Someone told me that Seamie Carthy, who is in third year now, has played in four finals already. That’s a fair stat.

“It’s a credit to the work going on at underage in Roscommon and with the clubs that these guys are coming through. All of that work and all of the big games they have played in will stand to them. You can’t beat playing these big, pressure games,” he noted.

And that’s what Saturday entails. If Roscommon CBS bring their A game to the table, another famous chapter in what has been a memorable journey can be penned.