Leagues set for thrilling finale
Once again, defending champions Pádraig Pearses are motoring along nicely under Frank Canning.
In six weeks’ time, the Roscommon GAA club football championships commence with Pádraig Pearses as defending senior champions. No club has won back-to-back Fahey Cups since St. Brigid’s in 2016 and 2017.
Behind the scenes, the local leagues have been motoring along nicely, providing the perfect warm-up before the heavy stuff starts on the first weekend in August.
In the O'Rourke Cup, St. Brigid’s have led the race from the first bell with eight wins from ten games. If they beat Strokestown on Friday evening, they will book their league final ticket.
It is interesting to note that one of the games they lost was against Pádraig Pearses who are closing in on a league final place against their great rivals. Pearses are the one side that are capable of beating St. Brigid’s. Frank Canning’s men have no fear of the Kiltoom men.
A senior league final between the two heavyweights of club football would whet the appetite before the championship plane takes flight. Losing their last two league games is sure to refocus St. Brigid’s minds to make sure they reach the decider.
Going into the last round of games, Roscommon Gaels still harbour hopes of clinching a place in the final if Pádraig Pearses or St. Brigid’s slip up. The Gaels are in great form. Once they get their full complement of players on board, they will be right in the championship equation.
Boyle beat St. Brigid’s in a high-scoring thriller last Friday night, which is a great boost for Eamonn O’Hara’s men heading into the championship.
Michael Glaveys and St. Faithleach’s have fallen through the relegation trapdoor. Meanwhile, St. Dominic’s are like Lazarus, having got themselves out of a possible relegation/promotion battle with the third team in the O'Gara Cup.
Currently, Castlerea St. Kevin’s sit in the relegation picture heading into the final round.
Tulsk have been like a runaway train in the O’Gara Cup, clinching promotion back to the top flight in style. Liam McNeill has the Maroon and White in great shape and buzzing for the intermediate championship.
The second automatic promotion spot will be a cliffhanger and is going right down to the wire. The clash of Éire Óg and Elphin next Saturday evening is a “winner takes all” showdown in terms of promotion. The loser could be passed out by Creggs in the race for the third place play-off spot.
At the bottom, it has been a tough league for already relegated St. Dominic’s. Kilmore and St. Croan’s are knee deep in trouble and their clash this weekend will see who joins Dominic’s in the Division Three League in 2026.
The Tansey Cup is set for a cracking conclusion with six clubs — separated by four points — in the hunt for promotion, with Strokestown, St. Aidan’s, Kilbride, Ballinameen, Castlerea St. Kevin’s and Western Gaels searching for the two golden tickets back to the O'Gara Cup.
After blowing two opportunities against Laois and Fermanagh to progress from the group stages of the intermediate ladies’ football championship, Roscommon find themselves in a relegation scrap to secure their intermediate status for next season.
First up is Wicklow where Finbar Egan’s side will be hoping to get the job done, otherwise they face a last chance saloon tussle against either Offaly or Down to see who slips down to junior championship football for 2026.
Roscommon competed well against Laois, but they were carved open by Fermanagh. It was the poorest display by the Primrose and Blue ladies’ footballers in quite some time.
Roscommon’s defence was like a sieve as Fermanagh cut loose, scoring four goals. Indeed they could have left Kiltoom with eight green flags, only for some outstanding saves by Helena Cummins.
Wicklow were blown away by Cavan in the opening round. Incredibly, they beat Monaghan by a point, which meant they lost out on a place in the quarter-finals on scoring difference.
Against Fermanagh, when the management made changes, the arrival of Lauren Shanagher, Róise Lennon, Aimee O'Connor and Rachel Fitzmaurice saw Roscommon throw caution to the wind. They played their best football, which gives me hope that they can avoid the drop.
Wicklow will take lots of positives into this basement battle. They will feel that if they can beat Monaghan, they can beat a Roscommon side short on confidence.
My message is simple — get the job done at the first time of asking.
Over the past month, the footfall in Roscommon Town has been incredible.
Businesses in the town have enjoyed a brilliant boost with four championship matches involving the Roscommon, Meath, Sligo, Kildare, Donegal and Mayo senior football teams taking place at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park. The U-17 footballers of Mayo and Offaly also had the red carpet rolled out for them in the county ground for their All-Ireland quarter-final.
This Saturday, another massive sporting event is taking place in the town, with renowned athletics club, Roscommon Harriers, hosting its ten-mile road race, which commences at 11 a.m. from Hannon’s Hotel.
The road race is part of the Peugeot Series as Roscommon Harriers is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The entry fee is €30 (includes a t-shirt for €38). Registration can be done online on the Roscommon Harriers website.
Runners from all over the country will be taking part. It is a recognised AAI race and is expected to be a sellout. The very best of luck to all runners — if you are in the area, get out and show your support for the participants.
Last week's teaser proved as difficult to negotiate as supporters trying to book the upcoming NFL game in Croke Park on Ticketmaster.
Can you name the All-Ireland minor winning hurler who played in last year's All-Ireland SFC final? It was Cillian McDaid with the Galway minor hurlers in 2015.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first in the queue, with Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Gerry Gacquin, Athleague; Gerry Murray, Claregalway; Joe Coyne, Tremane; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; John Croghan, Bundoran; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Joseph Langtry, Tralee; Pat, Sligo, and Paddy Boland, Youghal, also booking their seats.
This week’s Teaser. Can you name the last county to win the Leinster SFC final who, after two successive defeats, won at the third attempt?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from London.
Star pupil: James Mulgrew — the Tyrone U-17 midfielder looks to be a fine prospect and one to watch out for in the years to come.
Crucial win for: the Limerick footballers who reached their first-ever Tailteann Cup final after victory over Wicklow.
Much do better: With three championship defeats, the Galway hurlers left the arena following a timid display against Tipperary.
Spot of bother: For the first time ever, it was brilliant to have a British and Irish Lions tour game in Ireland.
But the arrogant organisers fleeced the ordinary man and woman with ridiculous ticket prices, proving the theory that rugby is a rich man’s game.
Weekend highlight: The Dublin hurlers doing what nobody expected them to do and beating Limerick summed up what the magic of sport is all about.
Everybody loves when the underdog wins.
What a cracker: All-Ireland champions Armagh against a fragile Kerry tickles the fancy this weekend.
“Everything you’ve ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.”
Diarmuid Murtagh was Roscommon’s top scorer in 2025 with 3-58 (67 points). His brother Ciaráin was in second place on 3-37 (46 points).
Everton supporters will have to wait to watch their First Premier League game in their new BMD stadium until the second game of the season against Brighton on Saturday, August 23rd.
An interesting opening game away to newly promoted Leeds United kickstarts the Toffees’ season.
It might have taken Kieran McGeeney ten years to build an All-Ireland winning team. Now, as defending champions, they have no intention of giving up their crown.
Winning Sam Maguire has instilled massive confidence and belief among the Orchard County’s players, alongside developing a serious panel.
After six championship games, this is the first time Kerry will play a team from Division One.
Apart from David Clifford's brilliance, nobody can get a clear handle on where Jack O’Connor men are at right now.
Malachy O’Rourke’s halo continues to shine as he has Tyrone back at the business end of the championship. They are a dangerous opponent.
If they can keep their house in order, they have the talent to become a major player over the next few years.
If Con O’Callaghan plays, Dublin are a different animal. Without him, they’re in trouble.
For the seventh time in 13 seasons, Monaghan have arrived at the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.
If the Monaghan forwards were a game of bingo, they would run out of numbers, such has been Gabriel Bannigan’s side’s scoring spree during the championship.
This will be the game to tell us where Donegal are at, and if the return of Michael Murphy really will be Jim McGuinness’ trump card.
Two years ago, the Royal County were playing Tailteann Cup football. They are now riding the crest of a wave after beating Dublin and Kerry in the championship.
They have only lost once in this year’s championship — against Louth in the Leinster final. After coming through the group stages unbeaten, they will not want to leave the party.
Galway seem to be getting the rub of the green at the right time. It’s a great opportunity for a free-scoring Tribesmen outfit to book their place in the last four.
