Two out of three ain’t bad

The classic Meat Loaf song ‘Two out of three ain’t bad’ comes to mind for Roscommon clubs after last weekend’s action in the Connacht club championship.

Three of our county winners left the departure lounge in search of glory. Touching down after reaching their destination, two are still standing.

Pádraig Pearses and Elphin got their passports stamped for their respective provincial finals against Coolera/Strandhill and Crossmolina respectively over the next two weekends as St Barry’s great adventure is over.

Roscommon clubs have never put a double back-to-back of senior and intermediate Connacht championships together but Elphin and Pearses now have an opportunity to make history. Twelve months ago, St Brigid’s and Castlerea St Kevin’s climbed the provincial mountain, and back in 2021, Pádraig Pearses and St Faithleach’s did the trick so Roscommon clubs have proven pedigree in these two grades.

Pádraig Pearses are fast becoming the away day specialists in the Connacht senior club championship as they have won six of their seven provincial games on the road. This season, they have taken in the sights of Tuam and Ballinamore following up wins in Sligo, London and Ballina in 2021.

They have had only one home game in the championship against Mountbellew/Moylough and incredibly will be on the road again to Sligo on Sunday week, December 1st.

The way Pádraig Pearses play, it’s irrelevant where the game is played, as they look comfortable, composed, compact and clinical on any pitch in any county. On the other hand, Elphin are enjoying home comforts as they won the county final in Dr. Hyde Park, defeated Eastern Harps there last Saturday and now welcome Crossmolina to the Hyde on Sunday.

These are heady days for Roscommon clubs in the Connacht championship and two more wins would clinch a historic back-to-back double.

OPEN SEASON IN ALL-IRELAND RACE

Fourteen clubs remain in the pot but only two have ever made it to the altar leaving with the Andy Merrigan cup as Dr. Crokes and Kilcoo tied the knot in Croke Park. Such is the nature of this season’s AIB All-Ireland senior club football championship, the dream lives on for the remaining twelve as a wonderful opportunity has opened up to strike while the iron is hot. Outside of the previous two winners, only Scotstown of Monaghan has made it to an All-Ireland club final, losing out to Nemo Rangers in 1979. Outside of that, only Pádraig Pearses and Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone) have won a provincial title which leaves nine clubs with only a county championship to their name. With Pat O’Shea back at the helm and with two All-Ireland crowns on their CV - the most recent in 2017 - Dr. Crokes will see themselves as ideally placed to clinch a third crown as they are firm favourites to win another Munster title after beating holders Castlehaven last day out.

The most recent champions are Kilcoo who went all the way in 2021 and still have Down senior team manager Conor Laverty playing well.

Their battle in the Ulster semi final with Scotstown next weekend will reveal crucial information on their prospects. Over in the West, new kids on the block Coolera/Strandhill have made history by reaching their first ever provincial final.

Cuala have looked very impressive since leaving Dublin and took out a good Naas side but keep an eye out for St Loman’s as the Westmeath champions would take great pleasure in having a crack at the Dublin side in a potential Leinster final meeting.

After taking out St Brigid’s and Corofin, Frank Canning’s Pádraig Pearses are saying to themselves deep down ‘let’s go and do an Armagh on it’ and win an All-Ireland title when the opportunity presents itself. They find themselves in a great place right now.

TERRIFIC TOOREEN CHASING FAMOUS FIVE 

On Saturday afternoon In Dr Hyde Park, Tooreen hurlers are chasing an incredible five-in-row of Connacht club intermediate hurling championships as they face Galway champions Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry.

It is also the Mayo's club seventh consecutive final with five wins from six deciders, and they haven’t lost a final since 2018. One has to admire their hunger, tenacity and determination to keep going and that ultimate dream of winning the All-Ireland intermediate club title.

A group of hurlers obsessed with winning county and provincial titles who are showing no signs of letting up as they have put Four Roads and St Gabriels to the sword in Connacht so far in 2024.

With Galway having 24 senior clubs, the intermediate champions are ranked number 25 which gives a talented side like Tooreen a real chance. In recent seasons, the Blue and White have taken the scalp of Kinvara, Moycullen, Killimor and Ballinderreen.

Sunday’s opponents, Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry last tasted Connacht intermediate glory in 2009 but on current form, Tooreen are in the box seat and if the Boland brothers, Kenny Feeney, Liam Lavin, Stephen Coen and Enda Delaney hit the heights, a fab five is possible.

TUESDAY TEASER

In a week when Robbie Williams tickets went on sale. our Tuesday teaser gang was ready to entertain. Last week’s teaser asked our readers to name the last two former goalkeepers who went on to manage their counties to win All-Ireland senior titles? It was Billy Morgan ( Cork) and Davy Fitzgerald (Clare). First to take the stage was Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; with QPR, Frenchpark; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Pat Deane, Williamstown; Bernie Shannon, Boyle; James, Edgeworthstown; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Sean Farrell, Dublin; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; John Croghan, Bundoran; Pat, Sligo; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Michael Finneran, London; Tom, Cork; Colm McGuigan, Scramogue; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Sean Toolan, Heuston; and Michael Kearns, Clapham all performing well.

This Week’s Teaser: Can you name the hurling club with the current longest winning sequence of successive county club titles in all of the 32 Counties? Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086-8356227. This week’s teaser came from London.

WEEKEND WATCH

Star Pupil: Ronan Daly as the Pádraig Pearses wing-back came up with the goods, kicking four superb points from play when his side need inspiration against Mohill.

Crucial win for: Drogheda United who maintain their League of Ireland Premier Division status by beating Bray Wanderers in the play-off final.

Must do better: Elphin have lots of homework to do in preparation for their Connacht IFC final against Crossmolina.

Spot of bother: Bad day at the office for the Republic of Ireland soccer team against England at Wembley.

Weekend highlight: Another repeat and rinse as another Saturday night club cracker on RTÉ 2 between Slaughtneil and Cushendall in the Ulster club SHC semi-final was enthralling.

What a cracker: The verdict this week goes to the Ulster club SFC semi-final between Kilcoo and Scotstown, and captures the mood of the Robbie Williams song ‘Let me entertain you’.

HEGARTY’S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE

“Never assume that loud is strong and quiet is weak. It’s the lion’s silence that signals danger, not his roar.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Of their seven Connacht championship games in their history Pádraig Pearses have now won five of their 6 wins away from home.

FINALLY FOR THIS WEEK

Nice double by the O Rourke sisters Aoife and Liza who won Gold medals at National elite boxing championship in Dublin last Friday night.

CONNACHT CLUB IFC FINAL 

ELPHIN V CROSSMOLINA 

Bear with me for a moment as we take a detour before getting back on the main road and to the clash of Elphin and Crossmolina at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday.

It’s 22 years since Crossmolina last played a club championship match in Dr. Hyde Park, and back then it was a provincial senior club final against Strokestown.

In the previous year of 2002, the Mayo side had won the All-Ireland senior title. In that year, Eastern Harps had taken out Corofin, Strokestown then took out Eastern Harps before Crossmolina ended the Town’s journey.

Two decades later all three sides are playing intermediate championship football and interestingly, if Elphin were to win the Connacht IFC, they would have beaten all three sides on route to glory.

Now back on the motorway after that diversion. If both Elphin and Crossmolina play like they did in their respective semi-finals last weekend, then there is only one winner -Crossmolina. The Mayo IFC champions were polished and dominant in beating St Michael’s.

Meanwhile, Elphin won an arm wrestle against Eastern Harps in a game that was scrappy and error ridden. In the final on Sunday, the main actors will be Shane Killoran and Niall Higgins for Elphin with Jordan Flynn and Conor Loftus winning the Oscars for Crossmolina.

The performances of the supporting cast of either side will decide the outcome of Sunday’s decider. Elphin will need at least two goals to win. In conclusion, the feeling is that Crossmolina are a step ahead of the Roscommon champions. 

Verdict: Crossmolina.