Destiny back in Roscommon’s hands
Mick and Peter Gillooly supporting Roscommon CBS in their All-Ireland Colleges' football final in Longford on Sunday last. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
After the blip in Navan, which had the potential to derail Roscommon’s Division Two promotion hopes, Davy Burke’s charges didn’t feel sorry for long as they bounced back with a facile win in Cork.
That 14-point victory by the Lee titled the balance of power in the division back into their own hands, providing they jump the final two fences against Cavan and Westmeath, which will book an immediate flight back to Division One in 2025.
With Meath and Monaghan meeting on Sunday, the loser of that game will be under pressure if Roscommon do the business against the Breffni Blues. Cavan, with three wins in a row, still have an outside chance of promotion but they’ll need lots of results to go their way. But Raymond Galligan’s side are an improving force and they have momentum coming to the Hyde on Sunday.
Two results Roscommon do not need next weekend is a defeat at home to Cavan and a draw between Meath and Monaghan, which would wrestle control away from the Primrose and Blue.
Scoring difference between the top three sides currently level on eight points is tight with Monaghan on +24, Roscommon on +21 and Meath on +19. Meath would be the favourable choice to win the big battle in Navan as Roscommon would have the head-to-head with Monaghan if it came down to the wire on judgement day.
If Roscommon win their two games, they are home and hosed. The prospect of another crack at Meath in a league final in Croke Park would set the pulses racing.
But Cavan are like a snake in the long grass while Westmeath have been the unluckiest team in the country during their five games. The Lake County lost out to last-minute goals against Louth and Meath, were beaten in a six-goal thriller against Cork and blew a massive lead against Cavan.
Of their five games, Monaghan were the only side they were second best against, so a relegated Westmeath in Mullingar will present a tricky assignment if Roscommon aren’t tuned in.
At this juncture, however, it’s hard to see Roscommon slipping up with the battle for second spot set to be fought out in Navan on Sunday.
The Roscommon intermediate ladies’ footballers are fighting for their lives in Division Two.
Finbar Egan’s side have been brave and bold in their opening five games, beating Clare and drawing with Donegal. They lost out narrowly to Monaghan in a game they should have won and were soundly beaten by the top two, Galway and Cork.
Over the next two weekends, Roscommon are away to Westmeath and home to Tipperary in an effort to avoid the drop.
With two games remaining, the battle to stay afloat is incredibly tight.
Westmeath are bottom of the table with on one point, while Roscommon and Clare are tied on four points in the remaining relegation spot. Roscommon are clinging to the head to head against the Banner women like a nervous swimmer to a life raft.
If Roscommon beat Westmeath, they are almost certain to stay up as Clare’s last two games are against table toppers Cork and Galway. If Westmeath win then all three could end up level with scoring difference, deciding which two teams go down.
On current form, Roscommon’s performance has been better but, in a once off game with so much on the line, everything goes out the window.
It's an announcement you will hear plenty of times this week in Prestbury Park Cheltenham — winner alright.
Can you name the last Republic of Ireland men’s soccer player to score a hat-trick for his country? It was Callum Robinson in 2021 against Qatar.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first past the post in the Teaser Champions Hurdle. PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Gerry Gacquin, Athleague; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Pat, Sligo; Roger Shiel, Croghan; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Seán Farrell, Dublin; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Marcus Ward, Lytham; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston and Michael Kearns, Clapham, were also among the prizemoney.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the last footballer to play senior championship football for both Galway and Mayo?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from New York.
Star pupil: Roscommon CBS had All-Ireland winning heroes all over the field but full-forward Cian Duggan played a pivotal role.
Crucial win for: Roscommon’s flagship camogie team against Wicklow. Mary Grehan’s charges are now unbeaten after three games in Division 3A.
Much do better: Three red cards and an eight-point defeat for Kilkenny against Tipperary.
Spot of bother: In my opinion, it’s totally unfair that the FRC (Football Review Committee) has changed some of the new Gaelic football rules for the last two games.
Weekend highlight: It was great to see the start of the local GAA football leagues over the weekend, with club players getting out on grass after being housed indoors for the winter.
What a cracker: With so much at stake and the lure of playing Division One League football in 2026, the clash of Meath and Monaghan in Navan will not be for the faint-hearted.
"There are two things we get every day when we wake up. A chance and a choice."
After five rounds, Louth’s Sam Mulroy is the overall top scorer in Division Two with 1-41. Cork’s Chris Óg Jones is the top scorer from play with 5-10.
