First cousins battle for number one
First cousins Aaron Brady and Conor Carroll are battling it out for the Roscommon goalkeeper's jersey ahead of this weekend's game against New York. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
The announcement of Mark Dowd’s first championship team to face New York is eagerly awaited later this week. Of all the positions up for grabs, there will be huge interest in who will be given the keys to the goalkeeper’s jersey.
In the National Football League, Aaron Brady enjoyed more game time than his first cousin Conor Carroll — the former playing four and a half games in comparison to two and a half for Carroll. In other words, the manager gave little away in terms of who his championship netminder will be.
After St. Brigid’s run to the All-Ireland club final, Aaron Brady was quick to claim the county number one jersey. The Elphin man was given the responsibility against Kerry, Monaghan, Armagh and Galway. He looked more assured by the game, and the feeling was that Conor Carroll was going to have to bide his time on the bench, with Brady in the box seat.
Then, for the Dublin game, Mark Dowd made changes, with the St. Brigid’s contingent given the nod to start. Conor Carroll was back between the sticks and while he looked shaky against the Dubs, the St. Brigid’s goalkeeper was back to his best against Donegal, as if he was never away.
Against Mayo, amid all the changes elsewhere, Carroll started with Brady coming on at half time.
During Roscommon’s opening six games, in which Aaron Brady played in four, the Primrose and Blue only conceded four goals. The Elphin man kept clean sheets against Armagh and Galway.
The dam burst against Mayo when Roscommon conceded four, with both men conceding two goals each.
Brady has developed great confidence in his four starts. His kickouts are strong but, at times, he can be suspect under the high ball. Conor Carroll is an excellent shotstopper and is comfortable with ball in hand. But when teams push up on his kickouts, putting him under pressure, he can lose focus on his intended targets.
Both cousins can kick ‘45s and are strong, reliable kickers from the ground.
We can assume that whoever Mark Dowd picks to start against New York will be Roscommon’s championship number one goalkeeper unless injury or a sudden loss of form materialises.
In the last game against Mayo, my Shannonside FM co-commentator, Nigel Dineen, favoured Aaron Brady to get the championship nod. I debated with him that Conor Carroll will get the seal of approval, and I expect the St. Brigid’s man to start between the sticks in Gaelic Park.
Of all the places up for grabs, all the attention will be on the first name on the Roscommon teamsheet for Sunday evening’s game.
After winning the Nickey Rackard Cup last season. which elevated the Roscommon senior hurlers into the Christy Ring Cup, Johnny Cash might as well have come on stage and sang “Ring of Fire”, because that’s what is in the pipeline.
Brian Hanley’s men have old rivals Wicklow and Donegal for company along with meeting new acquaintances in Derry, Meath and Kerry. The step-up is huge and after a Division Three League campaign, which ended in failure to get promoted, the bar rises several notches in the championship.
With three away games and the two heavyweights, Meath and Kerry, at home, it will take a miracle for the Primrose and Blue to maintain their Christy Ring Cup status.
Kerry won promotion to Division 1B for next season where they will play the likes of Waterford, Offaly, Wexford, Antrim who are operating at a completely different level to Roscommon.
Meath were mid-table in Division Two, and Derry were relegated from the second tier and will be in Division Three alongside Roscommon next year.
Having Wicklow and Donegal away makes the task much harder to pick up any points.
The Christy Ring Cup is a cut-throat championship, and if teams are not up to scratch, it could get ugly. Derry away on Sunday will tell a lot as the Oak Leaf County suffered relegation, albeit they were competitive in most of their games.
It’s hard to see Roscommon springing a surprise.
My annual Easter Egg hunt was as competitive as always.
Can you name the first county to win an All-Ireland senior title that lost a game in the championship? It was the Offaly hurlers in 1998.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to receive their chocolate treat. Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; John Croghan, Bundoran; John Croghan, Taughmaconnell; Michael Scally, Ballagaderreen; Pat, Sligo; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Seán Farrell, Dublin; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Michael Finneran, London; Tom, Cork; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also took great delight in unwrapping their goodies.
This week’s Teaser: Apart from Erling Haaland this season, who was the last player to score five goals against Liverpool in all competitions in a single season?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s Teaser comes from London.
Star pupil: Seamie Carthy, who scored 0-6 for the Roscommon U-17 footballers in their outstanding victory over Mayo.
Crucial win for: Connacht who have reached the Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final following a brilliant win over the Sharks.
Much do better: Munster’s European adventure is over after Exeter showed them the exit door.
Spot of bother: Pádraig Pearses, Boyle, Roscommon Gaels and Clann na nGael finding themselves in the same SFC group for 2026.
Weekend highlight: The Roscommon U-17 footballers reaching the provincial final for the second year in succession and the U-20 hurlers getting to the All-Ireland B final.
What a cracker: What a start to the GAA championship as Armagh and Tyrone enter the Ulster ring in the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds where plenty of fireworks are expected.
“You have to take what you’re given and do something with it. The easiest thing to do is complain.”
Louth have beaten Dublin for a third consecutive year in the Leinster U-20 Football Championship.
If you are travelling to New York for the Roscommon championship match, have a great time — I look forward to seeing you all over the weekend.
Roscommon supporters will see the sights, shop, party and enjoy themselves.
Mark Dowd will want to get into the Big Apple, get the job done, and head home with no injuries.
In the National Football League, Leitrim kicked 19 two pointers in comparison to Sligo’s eight, which suggests that if Steven Poacher's side can repeat those averages in the championship, they could make life uncomfortable for Sligo.
It took until the final moments for Sligo to maintain their Division Three status, but they should get the job done here.
This game would do justice to an Ulster final, never mind the opening round of a provincial championship.
Armagh only scored four goals in Division One. If they can increase their number of green flags, the Orchard County are in for the long haul.
Tyrone endured a disappointing Division Two campaign, only winning two matches.
Fresh from winning the Division Four League title, Carlow will be on a high.
But they will need to be on their guard as Wicklow defeated Westmeath in the first round last season.
A tasty local derby.
After Westmeath blowing promotion from Division Three on the final day and Longford clinching promotion from Division Four in dramatic fashion, the visitors will need to tread carefully in order to advance.
After ten years away from the spotlight, Cork have finally secured promotion back to the promised land of Division One.
Meanwhile, Limerick, despite some impressive displays, lost their Division Three place.
At times, Tipperary looked like a team with the tools to get out of Division Four. Then, at other stages, they flattered to deceive.
