Local pride and bragging rights at stake
Clann na nGael senior football manager, Pat Fallon, in action for Mayo during the 1999 Connacht senior football final against Galway. Picture: INPHO\Billy Stickland
When it comes to a South Roscommon derby, Pat Fallon is in the ideal position to give his opinion.
The Clann na nGael manager, whose side played both Pádraig Pearses and St. Brigid's this season, believes the rivalry in the southern end of the county runs deep, which will add another layer of intrigue to this Sunday’s fascinating decider in the Hyde.
“When you are looking at Brigid’s, Pearses and Clann, it is not just a local derby, but you are talking about three teams who have been at the top of Roscommon football for the last 25, 30 years. That adds a little bit of spice to it. But when you have a local derby, it does take on a life of its own.
“It is a bit more frenetic and there is a bit more at stake than just winning the game. It is local pride and bragging rights. You are playing against lads you have been to school with. It does add a bit of spice to it,” he claimed.
Prior to his Clann na nGael’s semi-final clash with St. Brigid’,s Fallon revealed that his side’s focus was firmly fixed on trying to blunt the threat provided by Ben O’Carroll and Bobby Nugent.
“Brigid’s have a lot of weapons, but we felt they had become reliant on Ben and Bobby inside. They were trying to play a lot of their football to get them on the ball in dangerous situations.
“They hadn’t been taking on too many two-pointers so we were banking on the fact they would continue with the same style of play. If we could tie down Ben and Bobby, we felt that we would have a great chance of being in the game.
“The best chance of beating Brigid’s is to outwork them and try put them under pressure. Before they beat us, they had won a lot of their games fairly easily apart from the Glaveys game, and they had a lot of chances that they didn’t take in that one,” Fallon recalled.
The Clann na nGael manager feels that Pearses’ success over St. Brigid’s last year should give them further belief.
“The sum of the parts in Pearses is an awful lot stronger than the individuals they have, even though they have some excellent individuals. The runs they make off the ball to create space, the work they do to get back and then they have the likes of Paul (Carey).
“I think Niall Daly is meant to be back as well and that’s a huge plus. They are very strong in the middle with Conor Ryan, and he will be keen to prove a point.
“Jack Tumulty has been playing out of his skin. He has great pace. Eoin Colleran inside is really dangerous. Hubert Darcy is playing his best football, and he is a huge addition,” Fallon added.
The former Mayo footballer went on to say that he believes that the roles of the respective managers, Frank Canning and Anthony Cunningham, will be vital, adding that four key match-ups could decide who is lifting the Fahey Cup on Sunday evening.
“I don’t know who Pearses will have picking up Ben O’Carroll but whoever they do have, that will be a major clash. Conor Ryan against Shane Cunnane and whoever plays alongside him (Ryan) is another one. The midfield is going to be huge, but Pearses are so good at the short kickout that the ball might not be going out to the midfield as much.
“I think Ruaidhrí Fallon might pick up Declan Kenny, who is probably one of the best players I’ve seen in the last couple of years. Who picks Bobby Nugent because, for me, he is the player that really makes Brigid’s tick? When he is on form, I think they play really, really well.
“Brigid’s should have a lot of hunger, but Pearses came close to winning Connacht last year. They’ll want to get a chance to go another step.
“I think Brigid’s might just do it if they have worked on their two-pointers. Even something like a refereeing decision or the weather could play a huge role. It will be really tight,” concluded Fallon.
