Moran’s minors in pole position for tilt at Connacht title
Liam Fleming and Scott Carroll supporting the Roscommon senior footballers during their O'Rourke Cup game against Boyle in Lisnamult on Friday evening. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
Before last Friday’s concluding round robin game against Leitrim, the Roscommon U-17 footballers had done the heavy lifting by qualifying for the provincial final with a game to spare after three a hat-trick of victories against over Sligo, Galway and Mayo.
In their opening two games, Roscommon hadn’t scored or conceded a goal. Against Mayo, they bagged four and conceded three in what was a swashbuckling display by the forwards. It meant that manager Shane Moran was afforded the perfect opportunity to give his panel a runout against Leitrim in the knowledge they have a month to prepare for the final.
Beating Galway and Mayo in successive games was a massive boost to the team who will have the favourites’ tag stuck to their backs for the final. That showdown will be against Mayo or Galway who clash on Friday evening in their shadow boxing final round robin game. Two weeks later, they will go head-to-head in the semi-final.
Avoiding a semi-final was good news for Roscommon who can concentrate on trying to win their first provincial U-17 title since 2020, which, of course, was the Covid championship.
Roscommon are a well-balanced side. The players have a great attitude and are laden with skill. They players are well-coached and play to a system that suits their ability. Players that were part of the All-Ireland winning Roscommon CBS team have brought a winning mentality to the group. Over the four games, 30 players have seen championship action.
Manager Shane Moran was a coach with last year’s team. They beat Galway twice but lost out to Mayo on two occasions, including the Connacht final where they were in contention for 50-odd minutes before the Green and Red sealed the deal late on.
This season, Roscommon are in the box seat. They are brimming with confidence. But they know that whoever ends up in the opposite corner will have revenge on their minds.
Of the two sides, Galway looked better than Mayo. But with these great rivals meeting twice in close proximity — the latter of the two being a semi-final clash — it could go either way.
For now, Roscommon can prepare diligently and plan for their big evening on Friday, May 9th.
This Sunday, on their home patch, St. John’s Athletic will be involved in the biggest game in the club’s history when they face Castlebar Celtic in the Connacht Junior Cup semi-final.
After beating another Mayo side Westport United 3-2 at home in the quarter-final, the Roscommon and District League Premier Division representatives will be plotting another ambush for their experienced visitors.
The Lecarrow-based side are also challenging for domestic honours and are currently involved in a three-way love affair with Boyle Celtic and Moore United for league glory, although last Sunday’s loss to Boyle Celtic is a blow to their chances.
On route to the last four of the provincial blue riband cup competition, St. John’s have taken some serious scalps. They beat Strand Celtic away, and followed that up with a thumping 6-2 win over Dunmore FC. Last time out, they held their nerve to edge out Westport United in a five-goal thriller.
Castlebar Celtic have pedigree and tradition in this competition. Winning 4-1 away in the quarter-final against Renmore served notice that the Mayo side will have no problem travelling into the lion's den on a tight pitch where a passionate home following will be waiting for them.
The Mayo Superleague side, who are the current holders, have also accounted for Maree/Oranmore, Carton United and Ballaghaderreen FC.
In the other semi-final Mervue United, who edged out Boyle Celtic 1-0 in the quarter-final, face fellow Galway side Moyne Villa.
On Easter Sunday next, St. John’s Athletic, who are managed by former Athlone Town player Keith Reynolds, will be planning a rising of their own. If they don’t let the occasion get to them, they are in with a real chance of causing a massive upset if Jamie Tiernan, Daire Keenan and Kevin Brennan continue their goalscoring exploits.
In a nutshell, I’m backing David to slay Goliath.
On my way back from the Connacht SFC game in Ruislip, I met a QPR season ticket holder in Heathrow Airport and as we waited to board our flight to Dublin.
Eventually, our conversation led to a Tuesday Teaser. Can you name the football league ground closest to Wembley Stadium? It was Loftus Road, home of QPR.
How appropriate one of the club’s loyal supporters, QPR, Frenchpark answered the question as if he was kicking the ball into an empty net.
Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Gerry Gacquin, Athleague; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Martin Walshe, Carrowbehy; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Mick Fethersaton, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Heston, Toolan, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also knew their English football league grounds.
This week’s Teaser. When was the last time the same county won the men’s and ladies’ NFL Division One title? Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227.
This week’s teaser came from Dublin.
Star pupil: Andy McDonnell who made his 100th championship appearance for Louth on Sunday.
Crucial win for: Kildare against Westmeath in the Leinster SFC.
Much do better: Connacht let a golden opportunity to reach the European Challenge Cup semi-final slip through their fingers at home to Racing.
Spot of bother: The vultures are circling round Nottingham Forest as only three points separate five teams for two Champions League places.
Weekend highlight: Great to see big GAA championship matches in Corrigan Park and Aughrim last weekend.
What a cracker: The Munster Senior Hurling Championship is back and a repeat of last season’s All-Ireland final between Clare and Cork.
“The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation.”
Brentford are the only team in the Premier League this season where two different players have scored 15 plus goals.
Despite being 3-1 down, Aston Villa gave it everything at a packed Villa Park in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against PSG.
So unlucky not to make the last four, which would have been an incredible achievement.
