Elphin’s young Gunn pulls the trigger
Western Gaels supporters, Martin and Ann Dowd, at last Friday evening's senior football championship clash against Elphin in Kilbride. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
Over the past few years in the senior football championship, there has always been a group game filed under the heading “must win”.
Take your pick from Tulsk v Fuerty, St. Faithleach’s v Western Gaels, St. Dominic’s v Michael Glaveys and Castlerea St. Kevin’s v Tulsk over the years.
On Friday evening, under the Kilbride lights, the clash of Elphin and Western Gaels fitted the bill perfectly.
Western Gaels hadn’t won a group game in five years, but managed to prevent themselves from falling through the relegation trapdoor on the last four occasions.
Elphin, fresh from winning last season’s intermediate football championship, were hoping to maintain the current six-year cycle of the intermediate winners surviving their first year in the top flight.
As I drove out from Roscommon Town, the night sky was lit up by the Mid-Roscommon venue. It got me wondering which of these neighbours would pay the electricity bill to keep their lights on?
At the same time in Stradbally, Electric Picnic was in full flow. But on the main stage in front of our eyes were players bursting a gut to keep their senior status alive.
Two years ago, Western Gaels pushed Elphin towards the exit gate with a relegation play-off win. By 9.15 p.m. last Friday evening, the shoe was on the other foot as Elphin gained their revenge to leave their next door neighbours’ feet firmly planted on the trapdoor once again.
In games like this, nerves, composure, attitude, and sensible football are key ingredients to staying afloat. As the rain arrived, a greasy pitch added to the tension which, by the finish, had reached the stand, never mind the players.
Two brilliant second-half goals by John Finnerty and Evan Gunn, who scored 2-8 between with the latter accounting for 1-6 of that total, alongside five points without reply in the closing minutes did the trick for Nigel Dineen’s side.
Elphin were full of passion, energy and hunger when the battle had to be won. Once again, Western Gaels seemed to get stage fright when the game was up for grabs. They remain so reliant on veterans Cathal Cregg, Kevin Higgins and Seánie McDermott to keep them afloat in games.
Nigel Dineen has proved once more that he is a great manager. Elphin will play knockout football against North Roscommon while Western Gaels enter a game of Russian roulette with Castlerea St. Kevin’s and St. Dominic’s.
At least, they have potentially two bites of the cherry to survive.
Blink and you could miss it as the Republic of Ireland’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign could be over before it even begins.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men are in a four-team group with Hungary, Armenia and Portugal. Six games in a ten-week period will decide Ireland’s fate. Realistically, the Boys in Green are in a battle with Hungary for second place as Portugal are firm favourites to top the group.
In a group of four, it’s imperative to make a good start and Ireland have that opportunity with Hungary coming to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening, which will be followed by a trip to Yerevan to face Armenia on Tuesday, September 9th.
Unless Ireland pick up four points, their backs will be against the wall, especially as their last two games are at home to Portugal and away to Hungary.
In fairness to Hallgrimsson, there have been signs of improvement. The squad appear more settled and composed. If Evan Ferguson, who is on a high after joining Roma, fires up front, Ireland can challenge Hungary for second spot.
But they need a win on Saturday evening for the perfect lift-off.
Tuesday Teaser
As the race for the Áras hots up, my Teaser hopefuls had their nominations submitted on time.
Can you name the only three managers to beat Pep Guardiola away from home in the Premier League with two different clubs? The three wise men were Antonio Conte (Chelsea and Spurs), José Mourinho (Real Madrid and Manchester United), and Thomas Frank (Brentford and Spurs).
QPR, Frenchpark, was first on the ballot, with Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Peter Keenan, Ballinameen; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; John Croghan, Bundoran; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Gerard Browne, Ballinlough; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Enda Tully, Frenchpark/ Scramogue; Pat, Sligo; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, ready to hit the canvass trail.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the only former Premier League team to be relegated to non-league football?
Answers by email to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s Teaser came from London.
Star pupil: Donie Smith who scored 1-13 for Boyle as Eamonn O’Hara’s men hit 2-23 against Oran.
Crucial win for: Elphin who secured their senior football championship status with victory over Western Gaels.
Much do better: St. Brigid’s suffered a dose of reality as Anthony Cunningham’s men were brought back down to death by Michael Glaveys.
Spot of bother: Western Gaels are back on the Titanic for another relegation voyage.
Weekend highlight: Michael Glaveys have ensured that the Roscommon SFC quarter-final draw will be eagerly awaited and full of interest, with four cracking ties ready to come out of the oven.
What a cracker: Roscommon Gaels and Pádraig Pearses in the senior hurling championship quarter-final is my choice of dessert this weekend.
“A great attitude becomes a great day, which becomes a great year.”
David Moyes celebrated the 500th win of his managerial career as a result of Everton’s 2-0 victory over Mansfield Town in the Carabao Cup.
He picked up his first-ever home win against the same opposition in January 1998 with Preston North End.
It will be interesting to see how Tony McEntee and Davy Burke handle not being the main men as they have gone in as numbers twos in Down and Kildare respectively.
