U-20 Division One football decider to renew keen rivalry

Familiar foes meet once more as Michael Glaveys/Éire Óg and Roscommon Gaels will square off this Saturday at Rockfield in the Hannon’s Hotel U-20 Division One football final (throw-in is at 1 p.m.).

Last year, Roscommon Gaels overcame the Saturday’s opponents to secure their first A title at this grade since 2013. The Lisnamult-based side had struggled to convert teams laced with talent into championship winning outfits after losing the 2023 and 2022 minor finals to Michael Glaveys/Éire Óg Eleven months on from the 2024 final in Bekan, these two sides will do battle once more to see who can secure the top title at U-20 level.

The Michael Glaveys/Éire Óg amalgamation has certainly tasted success as they claimed the U-20 B title in 2023 before progressing through to last year’s A final.

However, they will be keen on going one better this time around. They enter the contest in fine form, having plundered five goals past both Kilmore/Shannon Gaels and Boyle.

In a final of this magnitude, it is little surprise that these sides will be laced with quality throughout the field.

For Michael Glaveys/Éire Óg, Robert Heneghan captained the Roscommon U-20 side this year and will likely be a key weapon this Saturday. His cousin Niall was simply superb throughout the club championship and will lead the charge for the West Roscommon amalgamation.

Brian Greene’s performance will play a role in dictating the outcome. Éire Óg will wonder what might have been if Greene had been fit enough to start his side’s county intermediate final defeat against Strokestown. Meanwhile, Daniel Hagney will also be at the coalface for Michael Glaveys/Éire Óg.

For Roscommon Gaels, the Carthy brothers — Rory and Eoghan — will play crucial roles at either end of the pitch. The Gaels can call upon livewire John McGuinness to exert his considerable influence, while Ryan Dowling is capable to unlocking any defence at this grade.

Conor Grogan is an excellent defender who can drive forward at pace while Ciarán O’Reilly also possesses underage intercounty, experience having been part of the Roscommon U-20 panel that claimed the Connacht title in 2024 and reached this year’s provincial decider.

Roscommon Gaels got a stern examination of their credentials against St. Dominic’s in the semi-final and will likely receive another on Saturday, in what has the potential to be one of the club games of the year.