O’Donnell insists Boyle won’t be losing the run of themselves after O’Rourke Cup triumph

Fergal O’Donnell has vowed that Boyle won’t be losing the run of themselves on the back of last weekend’s Division One Senior Football League triumph.

The North Roscommon side won the O’Rourke Cup for only the second time in the club’s history — the first one was in 2022 — with a 2-16 to 2-7 victory against St. Brigid’s, denying the Kiltoom-based club a hat-trick of league titles.

Given that both teams were without some key players, however, O’Donnell wasn’t reading too much into the result ahead of the upcoming championship where Boyle have been drawn in the Group of Death alongside Pádraig Pearses, Roscommon Gaels and Clann na nGael.

“We know that we’re in a very tough group for the championship. We would be hoping to get out of it, but you could also be in a relegation batle — we know that.

“I’m delighted for the club and we’re happy. But you know when you look at the county scene, the league doesn’t count for much.

“We’re delighted to have this (O’Rourke) cup, and it’s still something we’ll have at the end of the year. But the focus is on the championship, and hopefully we’ll get a run in that,” he said.