Midfield battle may decide county senior football final
YOUNG GUNS: Seán Canning and Jack Tumulty will be hoping to lead Pádraig Pearses to county senior football championship glory on Sunday next. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
As this weekend’s senior football final comes into focus, trying to crunch the numbers and the expected match-ups is proving to be difficult. But the one area that could decide the eventual outcome is the midfield battle. The fact that all four midfielders are in superb form makes it all the more intriguing.
Pádraig Pearses have the experienced Niall Daly and new kid on the block, Conor Ryan, who is producing displays that will have county manager Davy Burke monitoring him as closely as a suspect in a criminal investigation.
Two years after playing for Pearses in the Junior A final against St. Ronan’s, Ryan is now Niall Daly’s trusted partner in an engine room that is becoming more dominant by the game. An added bonus is that Ryan’s place kicking from the ground is as sharp as a Gillette razor blade and as accurate as Big Ben’s chimes in Westminster.
Niall Daly, despite playing with an injury, has been Pearses’ general. His arrival in the second half against St. Brigid’s in the heavyweight quarter-final clash turned the tide in Frank Canning side’s favour when it seemed that the Kiltoom men had the game under lock and key.
This will be Niall Daly’s seventh senior football final and his first as captain. That kind of experience can’t be bought over the shop counter.
Over the past few seasons, Roscommon Gaels have struggled to develop a midfield partnership to build a platform for championship success. But manager Mark Dowd has placed his trust in Mark Healy and Mark Purcell. He hasn’t been disappointed as both players have delivered and are one of the main reasons the Gaels are in the final.
Mark Healy has always been a quality footballer, equipped with a clever mind an eye for a pass. He is currently in the form of his life — enjoying his football and fully committed to the project.
Mark Purcell has caught many by surprise as he has grown by the game. Like his rival Conor Ryan, his skill to kick frees or 45s from the ground is flawless. To date, he has bagged 0-11.
On Sunday Ryan v Purcell in the air alongside their competition from placed balls off the the ground will be crucial. On the other hand, Daly against Healy pits two wise men against each other.
While Halloween is still a few weeks away, expect some fireworks from these four to light up the Hyde on Sunday.
Seven years ago, two young footballers grabbed the limelight in a Primrose and Blue jersey. It’s fair to say that first impressions struck a chord.
It was the 2017 All-Ireland U-17 football championship semi-final against Kerry who were managed by former Kingdom senior boss Peter Keane. Step forward Paul Carey and Peter Gillooly who shot to prominence on that Saturday afternoon in Ennis. The deadly duo ran the Kerry defence ragged. They were the names on every Roscommon supporter’s lips on the journey home.
Liam Tully’s young guns produced an outstanding performance, winning by 2-15 to 1-13 after a high quality semi-final. The Gospel according to Peter and Paul bagged 2-11 between them — the Pádraig Pearses attacker posted 1-6 and the Roscommon Gaels sharp-shooter bagged 1-5.
Two exciting recruits had arrived and while Tyrone ended the great journey two weeks later in Croke Park, Roscommon had found two forwards with an eye for a score.
Two years later, Paul Carey was on the glory trail once more as Pádraig Pearses made history by winning the club’s first ever senior football championship. He went on to repeat the trick in 2021 and, just for good measure, also helped Pearses win its maiden Connacht club championship.
Peter Gillooly has yet to win his first senior football title, but both players have helped their respective clubs reach Sunday’s Fahey Cup decider. Both will wear the number 14 jersey and were pivotal in their semi-final wins, with Gillooly hitting 1-3 and Carey scoring 0-4.
On Sunday, they’re expected to play major roles in this season’s showdown.
Kenny and Lambe in flying form Only for the coolness, calmness and nerves of steel displayed by Declan Kenny and Tim Lambe for their respective teams, Pádraig Pearses and Roscommon Gaels would not be walking behind the Castlerea Brass and Reed Band on Sunday.
Against St. Brigid’s, Declan Kenny came up with an incredible equalising score when Pearses had no lifelines left. Then, against St. Faithleach’s, Kenny settled a dour contest with a crucial goal.
When Roscommon Gaels were on their knees and heading for the semi-final exit door against Michael Glaveys, Tim Lambe took his side off life support with an injury-time equaliser to save the day.
There is a play in Gaelic football — get your team up the pitch — and both wing-backs are masters at punching holes in the opposition’s dart board. They get their team into enemy territory, striking fear into opponents.
You could say that both players are clinical assassins once they get into scoring positions. They have become secret weapons for their teams, especially Declan Kenny who has 1-9 to his name. He is the front runner to be named Club Championship Player of the Season if his form holds in the final.
Whoever faces these two flyers on Sunday are in for a tough afternoon.
During a week that included World Egg Day, I was hoping my Roscommon Herald readers would make the perfect omelette.
Can you name the last man to play international rugby for Ireland and have played in the Connacht SFC? It was Eric Elwood who wore the green for Ireland and came on as a sub for Galway in the 1990 Connacht SFC final against Roscommon.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to crack the answer. John Croghan, Bundoran; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughlglynn, and Pat, Sligo, also scrambled the ingredients together.
This week’s Teaser. Can you name the first trophy Brian Clough won as Nottingham Forest manager?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from Athlone.
If the finish to be top scorer in this year's Roscommon SFC resembled the final day of a major golf tournament, it would have Sky Sports in overdrive.
Four players, Rory Hester, Daire Keenan, Diarmuid Murtagh and Andy Glennon, are currently sitting in the clubhouse after completing their final rounds, posting 21 under par.
However, Peter Gillooly is still out on the course, playing the 18th, one shot (2-14) behind on 20 under par, knowing that a birdie will secure the title for the Roscommon Gaels forward. Gillooly has the opportunity to emerge victorious if he can hold his nerve on the Dr. Hyde Park putting green next Sunday.
Star pupil: Ciara Dowd who scored the all-important goal for St. Ciaran’s in their intermediate ladies’ football championship triumph against St. Barry’s.
Crucial win for: St. Ciaran’s who finally went from bridesmaids to bride by winning last Saturday’s intermediate ladies’ football championship final.
Much do better: With just four games remaining, Derry City dropped two home points against Bohemians in their pursuit of League of Ireland Premier Division glory.
Spot of bother: It’s late in the day for Leitrim to begin another search for a new senior football manager after Mickey Graham stepped aside during the week.
Weekend highlight: A feisty and robust URC clash as Ulster and Connacht spiced up a chilly Saturday evening in Belfast.
What a cracker: The Leitrim senior football final replay went all the way to penalties as Mohill, managed by Eamonn O’Hara, won 4-2 on spot kicks to secure back-to-back titles against Ballinamore.
“Strength is born in the depths of struggle; greatness is forged in the flames of adversity.”
That Ballymacarbry’s 42-year reign as Waterford senior ladies’ football champions is over as they lost out to Comeragh Rangers who won their first-ever county title.
While €15 is good value for four Railway Cup games, which will be played under the proposed new rule changes in Croke Park this weekend, it will be interesting to see what the attendances will be.
Will there be an appetite for these matches when they are on television?
