‘We tend to play well against the better teams’

Roscommon will be searching for their biggest performance so far this season when they come up against a Clare side that came up agonisingly short in last year’s Division Three League and intermediate championship finals.

Despite suffering relegation from Division Two after a series of near misses a year ago, Ollie Lennon’s side can take encouragement from the fact they claimed this title in 2022 when they defeated Wexford by a solitary point.

Captain Niamh Feeney, who was named Player of the Match in that triumph, feels that her side can rise to the occasion and produce their best football against their toughest opposition this year.

“Some of our poorer performances would have been against teams that we were expected to beat. But when it is a strong team and we know we have to put in a performance against them, I think we do pull it out of the bag and step up to the plate. Hopefully, we can do that again,” she said.

The St. Mary’s, Tulsk, clubwoman, who has assumed the captaincy this year from Laura Fleming, is currently recuperating from a dislocated shoulder. Regardless of her involvement on Saturday, the 25-year-old, who has been on the panel since 2015, brings an invaluable experience to what is a young Roscommon squad.

Indeed, the captain admits that there are further responsibilities placed upon her this year but she feels that the squad are equipped with an abundance of leaders.

“I think it is more just the communication off the field. On the pitch, we are all talking to each other anyway, especially in the sweeper role I have played. You have to be talking and organising everyone, so I think it is just off the pitch that is different. But even then, you have the more experienced players like Laura (Fleming) who was captain last year and she still comes in and gives great advice. We all chip in, so it is more so representation than anything else.”

Roscommon booked their place in the decider by securing a dramatic victory against Offaly after an injury-time penalty save from Helena Cummins alongside a 64th minute winning point from debutant Megan McKeon, which saw them avoid any final day drama.

Feeney feels that this crop of players has forged a bond through overcoming adversity and finding a way to win tight games, such as the Offaly contest.

“I think we just need to keep playing the way that we have been playing. I think we have gelled really well together this year. We are willing to fight for each other. We want this so badly.

“I just think if we keep going the way we are going and keep working on the things that we need to, then we know how to play and what to do, so it is just a matter of going out and doing it on the day. We just can’t fold under the pressure,” she warned.