Local colleges chasing provincial glory
Tadhg Rogers and his Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, team-mates have been a revelation in this season's Connacht Colleges' B Football Championship. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
Saturday is a huge day for two Roscommon secondary schools as Roscommon CBS and Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, battle it out for the Connacht Colleges’ Senior B football title (throw-in at Enfield is 12.30 p.m.).
Many expected Roscommon CBS to reach the decider given their quality, but Scoil Mhuire have defied the odds, showing incredible survival instincts to reach the final.
Players from the two schools know each other so well from club, development squads and county U-16 and U-17 teams.
It’s a big boost for this year’s Roscommon minor squad who have a large number of players from both schools, affording manager Shane Moran the ideal opportunity to see some of his key players performing at a high level alongside ascertaining if they can handle the pressure of a provincial final.
The Roscommon CBS county minor contingent includes Sam Hannon, Colm Fitzgerald, Seamus Hussey, Ronan Carr, Seamie Carty and Chris Feerick, while the highly-rated Conor Tighe and Tadhg Rogers will wear the blue and white of Strokestown.
Both sides survived massive semi-final battles, with Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, winning on penalties against Ballyhaunis CS. They came back from the dead twice in normal time and extra time to force spot kicks.
In the quarter-final, they held their nerve to beat St. Muredach’s Ballina, 2-11 to 2-9, which demonstrated their ambition to win the championship.
Roscommon CBS have also dug deep. They had to be at their best during a scrappy 2-6 to 1-3 win over St. Attracta’s, Sligo, in the quarter-final. Last Friday, it took a Seamie Carty goal ten minutes from time to propel CBS to a 1-12 to 1-11 win over Calasanctius College, Oranmore, following a thrilling last four encounter.
This is the first time ever that two Roscommon colleges have reached the Connacht B Championship final. All the indications suggest that a close battle is in store.
If we take the championship round robin group game between Calasanctius, Oranmore, and St. Muredach’s in early December as evidence as to what might play out in the court room on Saturday, then we could be in for a hung jury.
Oranmore won by five, 0-15 to 0-10. Roscommon CBS beat Oranmore by a point while Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, beat St. Muirdach’s by two. It suggests that while Roscommon CBS have a slight edge, the fight, hunger and determination in the Strokestown boys will huge.
In both semi-finals, both winners hit 1-12 in normal time, so they will be hoping to reach well into double figures in the final.
The battle on the sideline will also be fascinating with CBS manager, Noel Moran, assisted by former Roscommon forward Gerry Lohan. Scoil Mhuire boss Darragh Fitzgerald has current Roscommon player Enda Smith as coach for company.
The good news is that a Roscommon school will be in the All-Ireland Colleges’ Senior B semi-final. Which one will be answered on Saturday.
The Chinese New Year — the year of the snake — came to pass on Wednesday last. At the moment, Roscommon senior football manager, Davy Burke, must feel like he has a mixture of cobras and vipers ready to poison defences this season.
The Rossies may be plying their trade in Division Two but they have serious snakes ready to unleash their venom. In truth, the Rossies have a batch of forwards that are as good as any in the country.
The shopping trolley is laden with quality brands like Enda Smith, Ultan Harney, Shane Killoran, Diarmuid Murtagh, Cian McKeon, Daire Cregg, Ciaráin Murtagh, Ben O’Carroll, Donie Smith, Conor Cox, Conor Hand, James Fitzpatrick, Shane McGinley and Ciarán Lennon — all battling to get an opportunity to entertain the Primrose and Blue faithful.
Roscommon must use this talented group of front men wisely — playing to their strengths, which equates to quick ball and accurate foot passing. Consequently, scoring opportunities will be coming as quick as trains on the London Underground.
The competition for places in the match day squad, never mind the starting 15, must be savage in training. If Davy Burke — aided by an intelligent goalkeeper in Conor Carroll and pace in defence — can come up with a plan to get this set of serial killers on the ball in the scoring zone, Roscommon will be working the scoreboard in every game.
Despite the destruction caused by Storm Éowyn, my hardy Tuesday Teaser gang found a way to deliver their message.
Can you name the first Cavan footballer to win a GAA All-Star? It was Ollie Brady in 1978.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to have his power and water restored. Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Paddy Boland, Youghal, Cork; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; John Wynne, Kilteevan; Andy McGarry, Garrison, Fermanagh; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Seán Farrell, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Padraic Duffy, Sligo; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; Pat, Sligo; Larry Cunningham, Glinsk; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston, and Michael Kearns, Clapham also managed to get their lights working again.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the only man to win All-Ireland senior, U-21, minor and club medals in both football and hurling?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from Castlerea.
Well-known Roscommon coach/manager Malachy Gately has crossed the River Shannon into Longford. He is the new manager of Keenagh.
After previous stints with St. Dominic’s, Athlone, Fuerty, and St. Croan’s, Malachy will use all that experience with the Longford intermediate outfit. Taking charge of Keenagh will provide the popular coach with a fresh challenge in a different environment.
It completes the hat-trick of three wise Roscommon men managing teams in Longford — Frankie Dolan with Abbeylara, Ray Curley with Ballymahon, and Malachy Gately with Keenagh.
Star pupil: With only two senior caps to his name, Colm Neary is playing like a veteran at corner-back for Roscommon.
Crucial win for: Armagh, who reminded us why they are All-Ireland champions with an impressive victory over Tyrone.
Much do better: Derry conceded three late goals in the final six minutes against Kerry to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Spot of bother: It’s sad how far Welsh rugby has fallen — they are now favourites for the wooden spoon in the Six Nations after an opening night thumping by France.
Weekend highlight: A Saturday afternoon and evening full of sporting treats. I was like a child locked in my favourite sweet shop with rugby, soccer and GAA on television.
What a cracker: Scotland and Ireland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield next Sunday will be one to savour, with an atmosphere to match.
“It takes discipline, routine, education, action, and mentality to turn dreams into reality.”
Calasanctius College, Oranmore goalkeeper, Brian Carroll, who played against Roscommon CBS in the Connacht Colleges’ Senior B football semi-final last Friday, is younger brother of Roscommon senior goalkeeper, Conor.
Two mouthwatering Champions League play-off games have come out of the oven.
Manchester City facing Real Madrid for a fifth time in six seasons is a blockbuster. And what a night is in store in Glasgow as Celtic welcome Bayern Munich to Parkhead, hoping to establish a lead before heading to Germany
