My sporting highs and lows of 2025
MEMORIES: Daniel Staunton celebrates with Seán Canning following Roscommon's Nickey Rackard Cup success against Mayo in Croke Park. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
As we close the curtains on another wonderful sporting year, here is a selection of my sporting memories from a local perspective.
The Roscommon senior hurlers winning the Nickey Rackard Cup.
Kevin Sammon’s side caught everyone by surprise and ended up taking out a highly-fancied Mayo side in Croke Park.
The Roscommon minor footballers winning the Connacht championship, beating Mayo twice along the journey.
Shane Moran’s young heroes rose to the occasion by winning five on the bounce to win the Tom Kilcoyne Cup for the first time in five years, displaying steel, style and panache along the way.
After a sluggish start, the Roscommon U-20 footballers started to gain momentum in their Connacht final against Mayo.
By the finish, a disallowed goal in the dying moments cost them a Connacht championship title after a thrilling showdown.
For the third time in four years, Éire Óg came up short in the Roscommon IFC final, leaving the West Roscommon side with more pain and heartache to endure.
It’s now official — Western Gaels are the great escape artists as they survived relegation from the senior championship for the fifth successive year with victory over St. Dominic’s.
After winning gold at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, Aoife O’Rourke’s dream of winning an Olympic medal in Los Angeles in 2028 is on course.
The Tarmon star is also shortlisted for the RTÉ Sportsperson of the Year award.
Seven down with seven to play, Pádraig Pearses produced a stunning revival against Boyle to win a cracking SFC quarter-final after extra-time.
Woodmount created a wonderful atmosphere for the Roscommon SFC semi-final between neighbours St. Brigid’s and Clann na nGael.
St. Croan’s losing a penalty shootout to Kiltmagh in the Connacht Junior Club Football Championship semi-final.
St. Brigid’s and Strokestown winning a senior and intermediate county and provincial championship double.
Conor Ryan (Pádraig Pearses), who was the best player during the duration of the championship.
Colm Neary, (Strokestown) — the Rolls Royce of the Black and Amber brigade who runs on Duracell batteries.
Eoin Collins (St. Croan’s) — the county U-20 player showed his quality by inspiring his side to make a rapid return to the IFC.
Michael Hussey (Oran) — The wing-back enjoyed a wonderful season for both club and county, and was pivotal in guiding Oran to the county final against Four Roads.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and my readers were in a festive mood last week.
Can you name the first club in Premier League history to score four home goals and lose? It was Norwich in the 1993/94 season as the Canaries lost 4-5 at home to Southampton.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to switch on the lights. Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; PJ Martin, Kiltoom; John Croghan, Bundoran; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Mick Fethstone, Dublin; John Wynne, Kilteevan; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also decorated the tree.
This week’s Teaser: Apart from this season, when was the last time the big three — Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary — reached the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from Dublin.
As we enter the home stretch for Christmas, I have the perfect Christmas stocking filler for my readers.
Win a Home in Athlone is the ideal present for a family member and, in the process, you are supporting Roscommon GAA. The first prize is worth €360,000 or €300,000 in cash for the lucky winner.
Tickets are ideally priced for everyone to afford — one ticket for €20, three for €50, or seven for €100. Maybe a company or bigger organisation could reward their workers with 25 tickets for €250.
Star pupil: Scotstown goalkeeper, Rory Beggan — apart from keeping a clean sheet, the Monaghan number one kicked an incredible 0-11 as the Farney holders clinched Ulster SFC glory for the first time since 1989.
Crucial win for: Kilkerrin-Clonberne, who claimed a famous five All-Ireland ladies’ senior club football titles on the bounce.
Much do better: Disappointing Europa Conference League campaigns for both Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne.
Spot of bother: Wolves, with only two points from 16 games, are heading into the Christmas period 14 points from safety and rock bottom of the Premier League.
Weekend highlight: Páirc Uí Chaoimh hosting the Champions Cup game between Munster and Gloucester, providing massive worldwide viewing figures for a fabulous GAA stadium.
What a cracker: Mikel Arteta brings his high-flying Arsenal side to the Hill Dickson Stadium for a Super Saturday night clash under lights against Everton and a meeting with former manager David Moyes.
“Good advice helps you find the solution to your problem. Great advice helps you find you were solving the wrong problem.”
The last time Scotstown reached the All-Ireland club SFC semi-final, they were beaten by Roscommon kingpins, Clann na nGael, 1-8 to 0-6 in 1989.
As this is my last column of the year, I would like to take the opportunity to wish Roscommon Herald readers a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.
