Roscommon star opens up about Sam Maguire ambitions

One of Roscommon’s leading forwards believes that the Rossies can win the Sam Maguire Cup in 2025, adding that the new rules open up a whole myriad of opportunities.

Boyle player and UCD student, Daire Cregg — speaking to the Irish Times about his ambitions with his native county after turning down a move to Australian Rules outfit Carlton — revealed that the belief within Roscommon ranks is strong ahead of the new season, which sees the “Primrose and Blue” plying their trade in Division Two of the National Football League.

“We have a really strong team with Roscommon this year and an excellent management team. We have a really good chance of winning an All-Ireland, and that is the only thing that I am really worried about. Listen, we will see whatever happens down the line,” he said.

With Ciaráin Murtagh, Cian McKeon, Eddie Nolan, and Shane Killoran returning to the panel alongside players from last year’s Connacht championship-winning U-20 football panel being involved, Davy Burke seems to have more strength-in-depth at his disposal this season.

“I suppose there’s a really strong belief this year. We’re in year three with Davy and we have a lot of young lads blooded. I’d say we’ve probably nine or ten lads that would have been on the U-20 team that lost the All-Ireland final and we’ve an excellent wealth of experience.

“We’ve a lot of lads that would have been in All-Ireland U-21 finals, the two finals against Dublin. Listen, every team thinks they can win the All-Ireland. Every team in the top 15 or 16 teams thinks they can win an All-Ireland.

“We definitely believe it and obviously the new rules open it up for everyone. I suppose Tyrone for an example, we beat them last year, and they are being talked up as big chances for an All-Ireland. Why can’t we be in the same bracket?”