Land of the giants as Roscommon Herald Team of the Week returns
On a weekend where midfielders and the middle third battle were to the forefront in many games, Michael Staunton and Jonathan Hester compete for possession as Oran and Castlerea St. Kevin's players await developments during Saturday evening's championship game in O'Rourke Park.
On a weekend which saw enormous stakes for some teams, especially those battling to avoid the relegation play-offs, midfielders for various side rose highest to the challenge, with severe competition for places around the middle third.
It was a weekend of high stakes and higher drama as the competition for places was stronger than ever. Here is who we have chosen as the best on show from the weekend gone by.
The Shannon Gaels shotstopper beats out Clann’s Seán Kelly for the number one jersey on this week’s team. Feeney’s kickouts played an important role in helping Shannon Gaels claim control of the midfield battle. The Shannon Gaels goalkeeper is able to produce remarkable distance on his kickouts while his placement of those restarts was top notch also. He brought a steadiness and composure that helped Shannon Gaels prevail.
St. Brigid’s defence came up trumps once more as the reigning county champions were given a ferocious test by an incredibly efficient Strokestown side. The Kiltoom based side were uncharacteristically loose with possession in hand but their defence, led by Smith, produced important turnovers. Smith’s effectiveness was highlighted by a brilliantly executed strip tackle on Evan Moran to deny the Strokestown attacker a clear goal chance.
For the second time in this campaign, Glennon has made the Roscommon Herald Team of the Week. The Boyle full back was dragged out wide at times by Rory Carthy in Boyle’s victory over Roscommon Gaels with the full forward enjoying his fair share of success. But, Glennon still did enough to help Boyle capitalise on their numerical advantage while he showed impressive composure in possession.
Although Clann na nGael are still scrapping to avoid a shock demotion to the intermediate ranks, Gavin’s performance against Pádraig Pearses was a major plus for the Johnstown based outfit. The corner back was the definition of tenacious as time and again he thundered out of defence after winning a turnover while he was extremely composed in possession no matter the degree of pressure he was placed under. A really tidy corner back display.
Regan’s performances have gone under the radar in this campaign to date as he came close to making this team after Oran’s win over St. Faithleach’s. Not any more. He enjoyed a tremendous duel with Dara Curran in the first half with both men producing some stirring moments. Regan’s two-pointer to tie the game was one of the scores of the weekend as he kicked 0-5, all from play, in an awesome display.
Brendan Greene’s side produced an accomplished display to beat Kilmore 1-16 to 0-8 and top the group. The winners’ defence stood out as Kilmore bagged just one score from play, that coming in the 64th minute. Barron was an integral member of the Éire Óg rearguard as he excelled as a spare man in defence, cutting out any wayward Kilmore deliveries, shielding his full back line, and was always sharp in possession.
We have had to rejig this team with Curran lining out at wing forward on Saturday. But, there were so many layers to his performance against Oran that meant he warranted inclusion. The 18 year old was electrifying in possession and never shirked his responsibilities outside of it. He enjoyed a terrific duel with Cormac Regan in the opening half before he switched wings and used his pace and directness to great effect.
Although St. Dominic’s were guaranteed top spot and St. Barry’s were consigned to the relegation play offs before a ball was kicked in anger on Friday evening last, a defeat here would have stalled the Knockcroghery side’s momentum. They appeared in a spot of bother when trailing by seven points in the opening half, but Doyle was instrumental in altering the game’s momentum by gaining control in midfield while he slotted over 0-6, including a pair of two-pointers.
After two games without a win, Fuerty will have to go back to the drawing board to rediscover the spark that saw them comprehensively defeat Éire Óg. Fuerty could do worse than use the performance of Bannon against St. Croan’s as a building block. With last year’s semi finalists staring down the barrel of a relegation scrap, Bannon was simply majestic in giving his side every chance to scrape a result. The fact he beat out Michael Glaveys’ Caoilfhinn Fitzmaurice and Western Gaels’ Finbar Cregg says much about Bannon’s display.
Gerry Cregg’s performance epitomised Elphin on Saturday last as they consigned St. Faithleach’s to the relegation play-offs. He played heads up football with his accurate kick passes to his inside line proving troublesome throughout. Cregg also arrowed over two scores, the first a superb effort that gave his side an enormous boost before the break, helping them lead 0-8 to 0-7 at half time. Tireless off the ball and sharp with it, Cregg was extremely impressive.
After kicking 1-12, 1-9 of which came in the second half as St. Brigid’s threatened to overtake Liam McNeill’s side in the table, he was by far the best player on show. It wasn’t just his scores but the timing of them as he bagged 0-5 without reply. After Adam Lennon moved St. Brigid’s ahead with a 36th minute goal, O’Rourke struck for 1-4 in a dazzling five minute spell in the final quarter. A display filled with marksmanship and leadership.
A fourth orthodox midfielder we have in this team but Dowd excelled as Creggs secured a facile win over Pádraig Pearses. He was the conductor of the orchestra as he helped Creggs dominate. From the fourth minute, he exerted his influence from midfield with a 60-yard run to find the net. Throughout the game, he set the tone for his side’s attacking play and he also worked hard in the air under the Pearses kickouts.
Firing over four points from play when your side are staring down the barrel of a relegation play-off is no mean feat. Cathal Heneghan did just that as he took his scores with the minimum of fuss. Although he faded slightly out of the game at the midway point, he kicked two key scores in the final quarter with the first a gem off the outside of his boot. His hard work down the straight was crucial as he won a pivotal turnover in injury time.
St. Croan’s are the most unfortunate team in either the senior and intermediate championships. Despite only suffering one defeat, they find themselves in the relegation picture. But despite being reeled in late against Fuerty, Brogan’s display was a huge plus. He was a menace on the edge of the square, scoring 0-8 as he converted frees from inside and outside the arc. He kicked two points from play after fine fielding allowed him play with the advantage of a mark on both occasions.
The Roscommon Gaels speedstar buzzed about with incredible gusto as he tormented the Boyle defence with his ability to break the tackle time and again on Friday evening last. His pace was a continuous issue that Boyle struggled to get a handle on while he always appeared a live threat when in the red zone. McGuinness kicked two points but it was what he did in creating chances for himself and others that sees him included.
