Ultimate litmus test to see where Roscommon are at

There’s general agreement that it has been a very good season for Roscommon so far.

Division One status comfortably retained alongside a first Connacht title since 2019 represents substantial progress during Mark Dowd’s maiden season at the helm, but the manager and his players know that the feel-good factor surrounding the team will take a hit if they don’t take care of business against Monaghan at St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones, on Saturday next (throw-in at 4.30 p.m.).

On form, it’s a championship match that Roscommon are capable of winning, but these games rarely work out like that.

This particular fixture tends to give the home side a huge advantage, and you’ll have to go digging to find a victory for a Roscommon team of any description on Monaghan soil.

While Monaghan registered league wins in Kiltoom in 2016 and in the Hyde 19 years ago during the John Maughan era, the general rule of thumb is that the home team always prevail in these games.

But Roscommon have broken down plenty of historical barriers this season — the biggest championship victory against Mayo since 1980, a first Connacht championship win against Galway in the Hyde since 1990 and a first provincial senior football title at home in 25 years.

That’s what the infusion of youth does, and it’s hard to imagine Darragh and Robert Heneghan, Conor Ryan, Senan Lambe, Colm Neary, Eoin Ward or Caelim Keogh being too bothered about Roscommon’s record in Patrick Kavanagh country.

At times, especially during the last three games, it appears as if Monaghan have been running on fumes. And yet they’ve remained in the hunt right at the hooter — eroding a ten-point interval deficit to get the better of Derry, after extra time, eating into Armagh’s seven-point in the Ulster final before running out of legs in extra time, and coming within a kick of the ball of unravelling Mayo’s first-half dominance in Clones last time out.

So the warning signs are there for Roscommon if they’re not “at it” at any stage during this match.

Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan is a class act — always composed, objective and humble regardless of whether his side win, lose or draw. It’s obvious his players would run through a brick wall for him, and to be still so competitive after such a challenging season during which Monaghan have been cripped by injuries speaks volumes about the resolve of the manager and the players.

With the news that Bobby McCaul, who caused havoc after being introduced against Mayo, is the latest player to be cursed by the Farney County’s injury jinx, it seems that the Gods really are conspiring against Monaghan this season.

But Roscommon will still need to negate the impacts of goalkeeper Rory Beggan, Ryan O’Toole, Dessie Ward, Conor McCarthy, Micheál Bannigan, David Garland, Jack McCarron and Stephen Mooney.

The narrow loss against Tyrone won’t have been detrimental to Roscommon bodies and minds. Too many needless turnovers — a blight on this team in the past — was the difference between winning and losing.

Monaghan will also have noted the joy Tyrone derived when they ran directly at Roscommon defenders, so they’ll be looking to isolate some of their big guns on the edge of the square in McCaul’s absence.

But Roscommon really have no excuses with a three-week lead-in. Talisman Enda Smith will be a loss, but the necessary depth remains on the bench to make sure any potential for another Monaghan rebellion coming down the home stretch is kept under wraps.

It’s a position Monaghan will relish. Backs to the wall on home soil, with elimination for the loser.

Three years ago, Roscommon rocked up to Clones on the back of an unbeaten start to Division One in Davy Burke’s first year in charge. The pervading memory that afternoon was one of utter frustration as Roscommon were bullied by a physically superior side, failing to reach the heights of previous games and subsequently suffering their first loss of the season.

The red lights are flashing brightly, but if Roscommon really have made progress and want to announce their arrival on the All-Ireland stage, then this is the type of game they should be winning.

Otherwise, a familiar narrative about this team’s old failings will return with a vengeance.

Verdict: Roscommon