Keegan feels ‘Rossies are in a funny place’ ahead of Galway showdown

Former Mayo footballer and All-Star, Lee Keegan, feels that Roscommon are in a “funny place” ahead of Sunday’s Connacht senior football semi-final against Galway at Pearse Stadium.

While the Rossies have produced some famous championship ambushes in Salthill down the years, most notably in 2017 and 2019, the current Sunday Game pundit — writing in his RTÉ column — doesn’t see Davy Burke’s men being able to compete with Galway’s depth this weekend.

“The Rossies are in a funny place. They are back in Division One, but there seems to be an air of negativity around them at present. I have said it so many times, but their attacking unit is the envy of so many counties. They have so many incisive forwards and a raft of shooters.

“My main concern for Davy Burke’s side is at the other end and they don’t appear to have tightened up enough to halt Galway’s gallop this weekend.

“On the other hand, Galway remind me of the Mayo teams I played in for a lot of my career, where the focus is simply the All-Ireland. That’s not to say they will take Connacht lightly, but everything is with July in mind.

“I don't envisage Roscommon leaving Pearse Stadium with a win. There is serious depth to the Galway panel and the prospect of Damien Comer and Shane Walsh hitting form at the same time — so often it is one or the other through form or injury — is a daunting one for opposition defences.

“It seems like John Maher’s ankle injury suffered against New York isn’t as bad as initially feared. I think he is the player Galway can least afford to lose as he brings so much to the table — power, shooting accuracy, link play and an ability to win primary possession,” he analysed.