Egan's charges hoping for a ‘Don’ deal
Fiona Shiel, Clodagh Gill, Strokestown, and Rachel Hanly, Tulsk, supporting the Roscommon senior footballers against Monaghan on Sunday last. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
A narrow defeat to Monaghan, a brilliant win over Clare and a gutsy display against All-Ireland senior finalists Galway have given the county intermediate ladies’ footballers genuine hope that they can maintain their Division Two status.
With four games remaining for Finbar Egan’s side — at home to Donegal and Tipperary and away to Cork and Westmeath — an exciting climax is shaping up to avoid the drop. Every point gained will be crucial.
Tipperary and Westmeath currently occupy the bottom two spots in the division. Roscommon are sitting above the drop zone on three points.
Trying to predict the magic figure required to survive is dangerous. One win, which would propel Roscommon up to six points, might be enough but, for certain, two wins will do the trick. With Roscommon’s last two games against Westmeath and Tipperary, the Primrose and Blue have their dynasty very firmly in their own hands.
Even though Tipperary sit bottom on zero points, they have played the top two, Galway and Cork, so the Premier County ladies will feel that they can start picking up points against teams in the bottom half of the table.
On Sunday, unbeaten Donegal arrive in Johnstown in a crucial game that will give the league table a healthy or gloomy look from a Roscommon perspective after the full-time whistle.
The Ulster side have drawn with Clare and Westmeath. But they snatched a late win over Monaghan, thanks to a dramatic injury-time goal. It shows that they are resolute and hard to beat.
Roscommon will look at Donegal’s three results and feel that this is a game they can target. They will have noted that Donegal have scored 1-23 in three games, which suggests they are not that prolific up front. However, they are tight defensively, having conceded 2-18 so far. It suggests that Roscommon will have to be patient. When the opportunities for scores arrive, they will have to be taken.
From their opening game against Monaghan which only yielded 0-6, Roscommon’s scoring rate has improved dramatically, with 3-13 against Clare and 1-11 against Galway respectively. If they can go deep into double figures on Sunday, a positive outcome is on the cards.
Manager Finbar Egan is like a circus act, trying to juggle three balls and still survive in Division Two — give as many players as possible game time, afford new players a prolonged chance to impress and, at the same time, try to win matches.
If Roscommon can translate 40 minutes of their Galway display into a full hour, anything is possible.
Donegal are more experienced. They have played bigger games over the years than Roscommon and will expect to prevail.
It's a massive game but that brings a huge opportunity for Roscommon to land a knockout blow on a serious opponent and claim one of the county’s best league wins in years. I think they can do it.
A Royal weekend awaits footballers from County Roscommon next weekend.
Young guns, Roscommon CBS, face St. Peter’s, Dunboyne, in the All-Ireland Colleges’ Senior B football semi-final in Abbotstown next Saturday at 3.45 p.m.. Less than 24 hours later, the Roscommon senior footballers are in Navan for a big game against hosts Meath.
Schools from Roscommon, Meath, Monaghan and Tipperary remain in the AlI-Ireland Senior B Football Championship. It is interesting that three of those schools — Roscommon CBS, St. Peter’s, Dunboyne, and Patrician HS, Carrickmacross — scored 0-13 in their respective provincial finals.
Patrician HS did the trick twice as they needed a replay to get the better of Dean Maguire, Carrickmore. After a 0-13 to 1-10 draw, the Monaghan boys squeezed through in the replay, 1-10 to 0-12.
Down south, Cashel CS pulled a rabbit from the hat by beating a fancied Coláiste na Sceilge from Kerry, 1-8 to 1-5.
Once Roscommon CBS got to grips with Scoil Mhuire Strokestown’s running game in their provincial final, they took control and looked likely winners from the three-quarter stage onwards.
They are very solid at the back. Michael Gillooly, Eoghan Carty and Colin Murray are excellent defenders.
The big question for CBS is whether they can poach enough scores up front as they rely on Sam Hannon and Owen Rogers for the majority of their scores. As the pressure rises and quality of opposition grows, players like Chris Feerick, Freddie Kelly, Tom Biesty and Aaron Dolan will have to work the scoreboard.
It’s difficult to gauge the standard from one province to another as most of Leinster's big hitters play A championship football. St. Peter’s, Dunboyne, are like CBS, however — tough and durable at the back with quick forwards.
Over the years, the Connacht champions have held sway over their Eastern counterparts at B level. If the CBS forward unit clicks, their Scrooge-like defence can keep the front door closed.
Last week’s Teaser proved to be a tricky one, so I decided to be a marshmallow with a soft centre, showing kindness on Valentine’s weekend to my loyal readers.
Can you name the first club from Connacht to win an All-Ireland senior club title? It was Oranmore who won an All-Ireland senior club camogie title in 1974. But I accepted the first men’s success when Castlegar brought home club hurling glory in 1980.
An extra box of chocolates went to QPR, Frenchpark; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Mick Fetherston, Dublin, and Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore, who were first home with Oranmore.
Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Larry Cunningham, Glinsk; Pat Deane, Williamstown; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Martin Walshe, Carrowbehy; David Callaghan, Castlerea; John Croghan, Bundoran; Cathal Corcoran, Newcastle, Galway; Pat, Sligo; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston and Michael Kearns, Clapham, were also smelling of roses.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the last Roscommon footballer to captain a Sigerson Cup winning team? Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from London.
Star pupil: Diarmuid Murtagh — if he was a sheep farmer, he’d have had four doubles and four singles against Monaghan.
Crucial win for: Meath away in Down, which shoots the Royals into the Division Two promotion frame.
Much do better: Kerry will not be happy at throwing away an 11-point lead at home to Dublin.
Spot of bother: Westmeath have scored 5-46 in three NFL Division Two games, but have yet to get a point on the table.
Weekend highlight: The rebirth of Everton under David Moyes — the Toffees are now unbeaten in five games since his return.
What a cracker: Bridget Jones was box-office last weekend. This Sunday in Salthill, Galway and Donegal takes centre stage on the big screen.
“Good things come to those who believe, better things come to those who are patient, and the best things come to those who don’t give up.”
That Everton and Liverpool have met 120 times at Goodison Park in the Merseyside derby. Amazingly, both teams have won on 41 occasions each with 38 draws.
A great start to the new League of Ireland Premier Division season — television exposure, increased attendances, cracking games and goals galore.
