Dowd must ‘Mark’ Roscommon's home league matches
Mark Dowd will lead the Rossies into four Division One League matches at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park in 2026: INPHO/Andrew Paton
Let the first cut be the deepest, which may subsequently lead to a healing process — that might just be the best way to sum up Roscommon’s proposed Division One Football League itinerary for next season.
First up is a trip to Killarney to meet reigning Division One League and All-Ireland champions Kerry. On the one hand, the first day out could prove to be the best time to play the Sam Maguire winners. They might not be at full tilt, with some dirty petrol in the tank before they get motoring for the remainder of the season.
Then again, Jack O’Connor’s double winners will want to put on a show for the locals by blessing the occasion with a home win. Playing Kerry away is a bonus in my opinion because the general feeling is that beating the Kingdom, home or away, will be an impossible chore.
While Roscommon have played no game yet under Mark Dowd, the good news is that the Primrose and Blue have four home games, which gives them a fighting chance of being in the mix to stay up.
King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park is scheduled to host four massive games against Monaghan, Armagh, Donegal and Dublin, which should ensure bumper attendances and create a wonderful atmosphere.
The second game against Monaghan in the Hyde will be critical in terms of how the league might play out for the new management team as they have a home game against Armagh two weeks later. After the opening three games, at least one win will be required.
In last year’s Division Two League final in Croke Park, Monaghan had moved well ahead of Roscommon, so it will take a mighty effort to slay the Farney men on home soil.
Roscommon’s two remaining voyages are Connacht derbies in Salthill and Castlebar, which means the Rossies have six league games on Connacht soil. That should cut the cost of travelling for players and supporters.
The only possibility of a game under lights is away to Galway in Pearse Stadium in Round Four.
On first viewing, the proposed schedule is in Roscommon’s favour. But trying to finish third from bottom will be some challenge in such elite company.
Down the years, Roscommon GAA has been blessed with some excellent PROs. John O’Connor, who is in his final few weeks as Roscommon GAA PRO, fits that bill perfectly.
In his role, John has been so helpful, meticulous, and obliging. But it is his outstanding county final programmes that have propelled him into Champions League territory in terms of delivering masterpieces.
Visiting media from outside the county have been in awe of the Roscommon County Senior Football Final programme over the years, which have earned John national recognition.
John’s pleasant personality was another string to his bow. At times, when county football managers might not be in the mood to speak, John always arranged after match reaction, making sure the local media got the news.
Being a County PRO is a massive undertaking. It has become one of the most important portfolios on the county executive.
I understand John will be in the mix for a Connacht Council seat at the upcoming Roscommon GAA Convention. Current Fixtures Secretary, Fidelma Lennon of Clann na nGael, has been nominated to replace the Kilbride man as PRO.
Not even Ivan Yeats would have been able to get the majority of my weekly teaser participants to bluff their way to last week's answer.
Can you name the only All-Star footballer who has played international rugby for Ireland? It was Dublin senior ladies’ footballer Hannah Tyrell who represented Ireland at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup before capturing her first GAA All-Star in 2021.
Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen, was first with the news, with Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Pat Higgins, Ballaghaderreen; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; QPR, Frenchpark; Tom Mullaney, Boyle; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Seán Farrell, Dublin; Pat, Sligo, and Paddy Boland, Youghal, needing little training to get their message across.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the man who won an All-Ireland senior football medal as a player before managing the same county to win an All-Ireland senior hurling title?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from Galway.
Star pupil: Kilbride U-20 goalkeeper, Cian Trimble, saved a dramatic injury-time penalty against St. Aidan’s, which secured a sensational 3-11 to 0-18 Division Two championship semi-final win for the Green and White.
Crucial win for: Waterford United who maintained their League of Ireland Premier Division status with a promotion/relegation play-off triumph against Bray Wanderers.
Much do better: St. Croan’s will not get away with shooting 13 wides against Kiltimagh on Sunday next.
Spot of bother: Hopefully, Kevin Smyth’s injury isn’t too serious as St. Croan’s are already missing important players.
Weekend highlight: Who said the Roscommon Junior B Football Championship isn’t exciting as Michael Glaveys defeated Oran after a tension-filled semi-final, which required a sudden death penalty shootout to reach the final.
What a cracker: With a wide open Connacht Club SFC, St. Brigid’s and Ballina Stephenites should set the pulses racing on Sunday, with both having high expectations of going all the way.
“Your future is shaped by the habits you repeat, not the goals you set.”
After Everton’s 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday, David Moyes has now become the third manager to win 20 Premier League games against a single club.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are the only other managers to achieve the feat.
St. Brigid’s haven’t lost a game in the Connacht Club Championship since being beaten by Corofin, after extra time, in the 2017 semi-final.
In 2020, Covid halted their provincial campaign. Two years ago, the Roscommon winners climbed the mountain with wins over Coolera/Strandhill, Mohill and Corofin on their way to an All-Ireland club final appearance against Glen.
After three successive Mayo SFC titles and a hat-trick of wins over the London winners, Ballina would relish a home-grown scalp to prove their worth. In that regard, St. Brigid’s would be the perfect fit.
Both teams enjoyed incredible wins after replays in their respective county finals, which has put them in great shape.
St. Brigid’s showed against Pádraig Pearses that they are finding form at the right time. They are looking slick and sharp, with all their main players coming to the boil.
One area Ballina will try to exploit is attacking the Roscommon holders down the centre with pace. Pádraig Pearses managed it on several occasions and created overlaps for scoring opportunities.
It’s 18 years since the clubs last clashed in the provincial club championship. Ballina famously won that 2017 decider on their home patch by two points. It was a game where St. Brigid’s squandered so many chances, including a last ditch Mark O’Carroll piledriver that hit the crossbar.
Both teams know that this is a window of opportunity. On home soil, St. Brigid’s should be the side looking out at a place in the final.
The last time Strokestown played in the Connacht club championship, they brought Maigh Cuilinn to extra time in the senior club semi-final three years ago.
This time around, the Black and Amber are a rung down the ladder at intermediate level, facing a strong, resilient and well-drilled Allen Gaels side.
The Drumshanbo men spent the last 12 months in purgatory, reflecting on the reality that they somehow conceded three injury-time goals to lose the 2024 final against Melvin Gaels.
Courage and character carried them through this season and the arrival of former Roscommon Gaels player Kieran Kilcline was the cherry on top of the cake as he scored 1-6 in the county final.
Strokestown were wiped out at midfield against Éire Óg. They will need repair work in that area if they are to survive this test.
In other areas of the field, however, Pearse McGinley’s side are well-served with quality footballers who have a SFC medal in their back pockets.
They get a tentative vote to prevail.
One down, two to go, as St. Croan’s journey to be crowned Connacht junior club champions continues after defeating Cloonacool last Sunday.
The bar rises several notches in this semi-final and, like the Roscommon holders, Kiltimagh bounced straight back up with a convincing county final win over Eastern Harps after being relegated from intermediate football in 2024.
One noticeable feature is that Kiltimagh finish games strongly, so St. Croan's will need their best performance of the season to prevail.
With doubts over several key players through injury, it might just be beyond them.
