Masters set sights on Dr. Mick Loftus Cup

The Roscommon Masters footballers will aim to lift the Dr. Mick Loftus Cup for the first time when they come up against Tyrone in this Saturday’s All-Ireland final at Kingspan Breffni (throw-in at 3 p.m.).

The task is an arduous one as Roscommon will be aiming to stop a Tyrone side hoping to win their fourth All-Ireland title in succession.

The team are unbeaten so far this season, and manager Anthony Carroll from Kilmore is hopeful that the team can produce a defiant display against the reigning champions.

“If you look back through the years, whether it be county senior, at underage or any level, you can probably count on one hand the amount of All-Irelands Roscommon have won. If we can win it, it would be a massive thing for us.

“We have lads there who have been on the Masters team for the last three or four years and might be coming towards the end, so it would be a lovely way for them to go out.

“We have a good few years of commitment put in there, so if we could finish off by winning an All-Ireland for everyone, such as our sponsors and supporters who have backed us through the years, it would be absolutely brilliant” he felt.

Despite coming up against players of the calibre of Stephen O’Neill and Conor Gormley next Saturday, lesser-known names such as Leo Meenan, who found the net against Dublin in the semi-finals, Aidan Brady and Ryan Quinn produced big showings for Tyrone in their side’s last four triumph.

Consequently, Carroll believes that Roscommon cannot just focus on Stephen O’Neill as he insists Tyrone have a multitude of threats.

“Tyrone have a lot of good players. Stephen O’Neill and Conor Gormley are important players for them but there are lads there that people might not have heard of who are massive threats. Just because a lad played intercounty football doesn’t mean he is the best at Masters football. They have been so successful because different guys can stand up for them,” Carroll noted.

The Roscommon manager helped establish the team back in 2017 and has seen his fair share of narrow defeats, emphasising the importance of new additions this season to help turn those tough losses into sweet victories.

“We have been close in previous years. We have lost All-Ireland semi-finals. We lost by a point in previous years but now we are winning by a point. With Masters football, it can be very close in these type of games.

“This year we have a few scoring forwards in there with the likes of Seán Fahy. A few guys such as Paddy O’Connor have come in and strengthened the whole thing, while we have Ronan Cox and Seamus Keane who can get scores. So we have built it up over the years,” he noted.

The Roscommon manager believes his side can draw confidence from their one point semi-final triumph over Kerry although he warns that further improvement is needed.

“We were confident going in. Kerry got to the final last year, but we have been around that bit longer. We got some great scores in that game and the lads produced a huge effort.

“We defended very well and retained possession, even under pressure. We need to do the same against Tyrone improve if we are to win,” he concluded.

ROSCOMMON PANEL: Seamus Kane, David Kelly, Roch Hanmore (Boyle); Jonathan Conroy (Creggs); Seán Ryan (Castlerea St. Kevin’s); Ross Nolan (Éire Óg); Paddy O'Connor, Conor Beirne, Brian Higgins (Elphin); Niall Connolly, David Delaney (Fuerty); Ger Heneghan (Garrycastle); Gerry Nugent (Kilglass Gaels); Anthony McDermott (Kilbride); Dermot Foley (Kilmore); Declan Beirne (Oran); Paul Kelly, Seán Fahy, Niall Finneran (Pádraig Pearses); David Cryan (Tulsk Lord Edwards); Damian Caslin, John McHugh (Strokestown); Terence Kelly (St. Adian’s); Joseph Towey, Jason Tarmey, David Hussey, Gerry Leech, Cathal Finan (St. Croan’s); Ronan Cox (St. Michael's, vice-captain); Michael McNama, David McTiernan (St. Ronan’s); Ronnie Beirne, Shane Gilleran (St. Joseph's); Ian Kilbride (St. Jude’s, captain); Michael Frank O'Grady (St. Faithleach’s); Robbie Kelly (St. Brigid’s); Ultan Kelly (St. Dominic's); David Scahill (Shandonagh); Seán McDermott, Adrian Freyne (Western Gaels).

Management: Manager, Anthony Carroll (Kilmore); Selectors, Damien Garvey (St. Croan’s), Declan Woods (Éire Óg), Liam Butler (Elphin).

*The Roscommon Masters team have received backing from many businesses, including Garvey’s Bar, Keith Revins Tyres, Woods Furniture and Kalzen Tool Hire. Roscommon GAA has also sponsored meals for the team throughout the year.