Roscommon aiming to 'Master' another final with a Royal victory

It is rare that a Roscommon team get the chance to secure successive national titles.

But that is what the Roscommon Masters footballers are aiming to do as they face newcomers Meath in an intriguing All-Ireland Shield final next Saturday in Fr Manning Gaels GAA grounds, Drumlish, at 3 p.m..

For Anthony Carroll’s side, they will be aiming to build on their All-Ireland Plate success last year. After reaching the Dr. Mick Loftus Cup final — the equivalent of the ‘A’ final — in 2024, Roscommon have developed an impressive consistency.

Four wins in six games meant they were just outside of the qualifying for the semi-final stages of the Dr. Mick Loftus Cup this season, but they have taken their chance in the tier below, securing a Shield semi-final win over Monaghan last time out.

It is certainly not ideal from a Roscommon perspective for this game to be taking place on the same weekend as the local club quarter-finals. Consequently, manager Anthony Carroll admits that it is simply about working with the squad at his disposal on the day.

The Kilmore clubman feels that last year’s experience can help during a time when he feels Masters football is becoming increasingly competitive.

“We lost the senior final two years ago to a very strong Tyrone team. Tyrone have a few All-Irelands but they finished a tier below us this year. It is just the way it goes.

“Dublin and Donegal are in the (Dr. Mick Loftus Cup) final. Donegal beat us on a day when we were down a lot of lads, so we were just a bit unlucky, but it is very competitive. There isn’t much between any of the teams.

“Looking at Dublin, they have lads who have four, five or six All-Ireland medals. You have Eoghan O’Gara there, Bernard Brogan, Alan Brogan. If you were playing them in the morning, you would have a lot of planning.

“They have a lot of lads playing at a high level in Dublin, so it is definitely getting more interest, even from guys who have won all those All-Irelands,” he noted.

Roscommon beat Mayo, Galway, Wicklow and Limerick in the round robin stage before overcoming Monaghan last time out. Cathal Dineen (Roscommon Gaels) has returned from injury and Senan Kilbride (St. Brigid’s) is involved this once again this year.

Roscommon boast an impressive panel. Their depth has been tested throughout the campaign but an array of newcomers, including Adrian Murtagh (St. Faithleach’s), Seán Purcell (Boyle) and Cormac Sheehy (St. Brigid’s), means that they have managed to adapt impressively.

The Rossies, who are captained by Paul Kelly from Pádraig Pearses with Michael McNama (St. Ronan’s) serving as vice-captain, face an unknown quantity in the final. They will come up against a Meath side that are fielding at Masters level for the first time this year.

But with Joe Sheridan set to lead in attack, Roscommon will need to produce their sharpest display of the year to claim another piece of silverware, according to Carroll.

“There would have been Meath players in with Cavan before Meath set up their own team. They would have experience. They are experienced enough in Masters football. They have a good team, they are very strong, so we will have to produce a really good performance on the day,” he concluded.