Learning the ropes in Division Two
Alex Moore and Cormac McGuinness supporting Roscommon CBS during their All-Ireland Senior Colleges football championship semi-final success against St. Peter's College, Dunboyne, in Abbotstown on Saturday. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
Despite last Sunday’s setback in Navan, Division Two is the perfect breeding ground for Roscommon players to learn the ropes away from the cut-throat environment of the top flight.
If Roscommon don’t do their stuff against Cork, Cavan and Westmeath in the coming weeks, then they are not good enough for Division One.
Players like Colm Neary, Pearse Frost and Conor Hand are taking full advantage of life in Division Two, gaining huge experience against teams like Down, Louth, Monaghan and Meath. Would Roscommon have won a Division One game in Croke Park, Ballybofey or the Athletic grounds in Armagh as they did against Monaghan with Enda Smith, Shane Killoran, Daire Cregg and Eddie Nolan out injured, and Brian Stack not finishing the game?
A spell in Division Two is affording Roscommon the opportunity to develop new players. It’s a credit to Davy Burke that he is building a panel that has strength in depth alongside gaining the exposure required for Division One if Roscommon can clinch promotion.
The short to medium term plan is to gain promotion and be ready for the championship as a potential Connacht semi-final against Galway will be Roscommon’s first meaningful test of the year against Division One opposition.
It’s also great to see Ronan Daly back as he is ideally suited to the new GAA rules. The versatile Pádraig Pearses player is equally at home in the half-back line and wing-forward position.
For the first time at senior level, Shane Cunnane is getting a consistent run of games while Keith Doyle is showing signs of the promise he delivered at underage level.
John McManus is grabbing his second coming like a fisherman with his evening tea on the end of the hook. Davy Murray entered the equation last Sunday, which was great to see.
But Roscommon’s new look panel will be tested in the final three games to see if they’re really good enough for Division One.
If you haven’t already done so, there's still time to purchase a ticket for the Roscommon Community College’s massive fundraising raffle for Join our Boys. Funds raised will be for twins Issac and George Naughton to go to America for further treatment. The boys are second year students in Roscommon Community College.
A dedicated hard working committee, staff members and students have joined forces to sell raffle tickets. Tickets are €5 each or a book of five for €20. They are flying off the shelves like hot buns.
The committee and students from the school attended the Roscommon v Monaghan Division Two game at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park and were blown away by the generosity of both sets of supporters.
The raffle draw will take place in Roscommon Community College on Friday March 14th. Prizes include and Ireland rugby jersey signed and worn by team captain Caelan Doris; two tickets for the Connacht v Munster PRO 14 game in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park Castlebar; a signed Roscommon men’s GAA jersey; a signed Roscommon LGFA jersey; a signed Roscommon hurling jersey, and four green fees for Roscommon Golf Club.
Tickets can be bought online by checking the Roscommon Community College Facebook page.
During a competition that had plenty of Roscommon interest, especially the final, I decided to test my Roscommon Herald readers’ knowledge of the Sigerson Cup.
Can you name the last Roscommon footballer to captain a Sigerson Cup winning team? It was Tony McManus with UCD in 1979.
Weekly sharpshooter Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore, was first on the podium. QPR, Frenchpark; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Brian Stenson, Castlerea; John Croghan, Bundoran; Gerry Gacquin, Athleague; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; Martin Walshe, Carrowbehy; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Pat Deane, Williamstown; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Pat, Sligo; Seán Farrell, Dublin; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also named the former Roscommon and Clann na nGael star.
This week’s Teaser. Can you name the only Galway man to be twice presented with the old Sam Maguire Cup after All-Ireland wins?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s Teaser comes from New York.
It seems that absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder.
A relationship that blossomed for six wonderful years between 2016 and 2021 has been renewed as Oliver Lennon has returned to Kilbride as the intermediate ladies’ team manager.
After leading Kilbride to five senior titles in succession, Lennon went on to take over the Roscommon intermediate ladies’ football team. Success included two promotions from Division Three, including a league title, and a Connacht intermediate crown.
Roscommon were knocking on the door of the All-Ireland intermediate championship, losing out to eventual winners Leitrim by a narrow margin last season.
Now, the popular coach is back where his journey began — on familiar ground where Kilbride will have the likes of St. Barry’s and Pádraig Pearses for company after being relegated from the senior ranks in 2024.
Star pupil: Heather Payne who earned her 50th cap for the Republic of Ireland women’s soccer team during their Nations League game against Turkey.
Crucial win for: Monaghan over Cork in their pursuit of promotion from Division Two.
Much do better: With only one point from four games, the Derry footballers are in real trouble at the bottom of the Division One League table.
Spot of bother: Elphin defender Niall Higgins is on his way to Navan O'Mahonys, which is a huge blow for last season's intermediate football championship winners.
Weekend highlight: The Roscommon LGFA table quiz in aid of the county minor ladies’ team was a brilliant success with 41 tables in the Hyde Centre last Saturday night.
What a cracker: The clash of Armagh and Dublin tops the poll this weekend.
“To be successful at anything, the truth is you don’t have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren’t — consistent, determined, and willing to work for it.”
This year's All-Ireland Colleges’ Senior B football final between Roscommon CBS and Patrician HS, Carrickmacross, is a repeat of the 1997 decider. Current CBS coach Gerry Lohan played in that final, which was won by the County Monaghan school.
With the big guns dropping like flies, this season’s FA Cup has opened up real possibilities as this weekend’s fifth round action opens the door for the underdogs to start dreaming of Wembley.
