Roscommon Herald Team of the Week is back with a bang
St. Brigid's midfielder, Eddie Nolan has earned a spot on the Roscommon Herald Team of the Week after kicking 1-3 against Elphin
After a thrilling opening weekend of action in the Hodson Bay Hotel senior football championship and the Ward Bros intermediate championship, the first Roscommon Herald Team of the Week has returned.
In total 12 clubs are included with competition for places at an all time high. Here we take you through the 15 players that stood out most following an opening round with no shortage of talking points.
Although Aaron Brady kicked 0-5 for Elphin, Gaynor finished as the top scoring goalkeeper with 0-8, including three two-point frees and a pair of 45s. The Western Gaels shotstopper pulled off a terrific stop to deny Cathal Heneghan a goal while there was little he could do about Michael Glaveys’ pair of majors. The Roscommon U-20 goalkeeper showed why he is so highly regarded with this impressive showing.
His teammate Tadhg McKenna was in the running for inclusion, but it was impossible to overlook Conor Kelly’s strong showing against Roscommon Gaels. He did an excellent job in tracking the dangerous John McGuinness, keeping the talented forward scoreless. Kelly played on the front foot throughout and was instrumental in giving his side a platform to build off.
Gavin and David Connaughton excelled in the Clann full back line but the former gets the nod following a rock solid display. There is no doubting Gavin’s obvious talent but last year’s club campaign felt a step forward while he appears to have carried his 2024 form forward. He was key in restricting St. Dominic’s to just nine scores in an impressive display.
We have taken a liberty here and moved a full back out to the number 4 spot, but O’Malley’s handsome contribution to Michael Glaveys’ vital win could not be ignored. He played a huge role in helping Michael Glaveys hang tough during Western Gaels’ purple patches while his leadership in defence was felt throughout the field.
Glennon operated in the middle third, but such was the tireless nature of his display, the St. Faithleach’s clubman could not be overlooked. It says a lot that Glennon was only able to play just 42 minutes before departing due to injury, yet his fingerprints were all over this eye catching win. Brilliant in the air and terrific with and without possession, Glennon was central to the most eye catching result of the weekend.
His late point against Fuerty ensured Enda Crawley did practically everything you could ask a centre back and defensive lynchpin to do in a key game. Ronan Cahill certainly helped Éire Óg control the middle third but Crawley’s magnificence in winning breaking ball and driving his side forward at every opportunity meant he deserves his spot in this week’s team.
When Tulsk were being pushed hard by St. Michael’s in the first half, Gaughan stood tall. The wing back finished with 0-3 as two of those scores came at the end of the first half after Tulsk fell 2-3 to 0-6 down. His fisted effort in the final action of the first half almost snuck under the crossbar but Gaughan’s surges upfield and ability to stretch the St. Michael’s defence was key to Tulsk’s strong attacking showing.
Eddie Nolan’s ever increasing scoring threat is a big boost for club and county. The St. Brigid’s midfielder bagged a third minute goal while he can surge on to possession from deep and slot over or play the quarterback role and dictate where and how St. Brigid’s will attack opposing defences. His 1-3 against Elphin was key to a dominant victory.
His three brothers all played key roles in Michael Glaveys’ vital opening round triumph, but Niall Heneghan was the best on show during last Friday evening’s thrilling victory. His contribution amounted to so much more than the point he kicked. In football’s new age, the midfield battle is high up the list of priorities for any team with the Roscommon U-20 footballer producing some majestic catches to give his side a platform to procure a big win.
The Clann wing forward was pivotal in helping his side come through a banana skin tie against St. Dominic’s. O’Flaherty kicked a neat two-pointer, but it was his ability to snaffle up breaking ball and his direct running that proved key weapons in his arsenal. O’Flaherty was instrumental in Clann’s first goal as he survived being hauled back to provide a perfect ball to Graham Pettit who tapped possession to Josh Lennon to slot home.
Where would Kilmore be without Paul Garvey? Him and his brother Colm excelled as Kilmore secured a precious win over Pádraig Pearses B in what is a challenging group. Although all of Paul’s tally of 0-9 came from frees, which included a two-pointed placed ball, his accuracy in greasy conditions was simply vital. A leader who rose to the challenge when needed most.
Ronan Dowd excelled in his side’s win over St. Barry’s. His final tally of 0-7, which included six points from play helped Creggs produce an impressive showing. His distribution was top class as his sumptuous ball to Shane Dowd set up the full forward for a goal. Ronan Dowd was also instrumental in Creggs dominating the midfield battle. An impressive all round display.
Although Jason Doory, Richard Walsh and Corcoran’s teammate Diarmuid McGann were all worthy contenders for the inside full forward line, Cian Corcoran excelled as Strokestown produced a statement of intent in their win over Kilbride. Corcoran was the dominant figure in gaining possession and providing the platform for the Strokestown attack to run riot. A statement win for Strokestown and a statement performance from Corcoran.
On a weekend of high scoring outputs by Roscommon club footballers, nobody did it quite like Conor Cox. The inter county forward kicked a whopping 0-16, including six two-pointers. Cox slotted over four two-pointers in a seven minute spell during the opening half as Fuerty simply had no answers. He could have had even more, which should worry opposition defences across the Intermediate Championship.
His club mate Ciarán Lawless was desperately unlucky to miss out but Fitzpatrick was near flawless as Oran marked their first home championship game at Rockfield in two years in some style. Ultimately, Fitzpatrick’s 2-4 was hard to ignore. His first goal was ruthlessly finished to the net while his second made the game safe. A top performance from a player who should thrive in football’s new world.
