Three key games down for decision in the Roscommon SHC
Oran's Cathal Kenny and Pádraig Pearses' Karl Feehily will be aiming to help their sides to victories over Tremane and Roscommon Gaels respectively.
With six teams out this weekend in the Roscommon SHC, there are plenty of plotlines as sides battle for a direct route to the semi final stage, others try and ignite their campaigns and by the close of action Saturday evening, the teams locked in a battle to avoid an early elimination should become much clearer.
Here we take you through the three games down for decision on Saturday.
With these teams suffering defeats in their opening championship games, a defeat here would leave both sides nervously glancing over their shoulder.
Four Roads were downed by St. Dominic’s as they keenly felt the absence of Conor Mulry and Adam Donnelly. The Tisrara based side will still feel they can have a major say in this year’s championship, but they need a win to keep their hopes of a direct passage to the semi final stage alive.
Athleague suffered defeat to a Roscommon Gaels on an evening Robbie Fallon’s side were left to rue shooting 15 wides. With Pádraig Pearses and St. Dominic’s to come after this, Athleague have an unforgiving schedule. In this heavyweight rivalry, Four Roads are best placed to land another blow upon Athleague.
Verdict: Four Roads.
Two unbeaten teams go head to head in Rockfield. Tremane have arguably been the story of the championship so far as they comfortably downed Roscommon Gaels before earning a deserved draw against St. Dominic’s last time out. The ever reliable Peter Kellehan continues to lead the way but there is a nice balance to Tremane’s attack this year with Evan Murray and John Brennan both bringing pace and directness to their attack.
Oran secured an impressive opening round win over an understrength Pearses outfit. Winning a key championship game without Micheál Hussey would have been unfathomable even last year but Seamus Hussey, Nathan Flynn and Rory Connolly are huge additions to their panel this year. The Kenny brothers continue to provide a rock solid spine while Paddy Fallon, who bagged 64 per cent of his side’s scores last year on their way to the county final, now has much greater help.
Verdict: Oran
A repeat of last year’s quarter final showdown in what is a chance for Roscommon Gaels to essentially book their place in the knockout stages as they aim to record successive championship victories. The Gaels’ victory over Athleague has given them a degree of breathing room following their defeat to Tremane in the opening round.
Tim Gilmore and Liam Naughten formed a tidy midfield pairing last time out and although Roscommon Gaels have lost a host of attacking threat, Richard Walsh is a classy operator up front.
Pearses aren’t in crisis territory by any means, but a defeat would lead to a nervous glance over their shoulder. Seán Canning continues to be a huge loss but with Daniel Staunton going well and the two Finns – Darragh and Ronan – also bringing a touch of class, they should have enough to kickstart their campaign with a win.
Verdict: Pádraig Pearses.
