Roscommon must target second spot, anything else will be a disappointment
Cillian Fallon and Cillian Hoare supporting the Roscommon minor footballers during their Connacht final against Mayo in Castlebar on Friday evening. Picture: Bernie O'Farrell
So now we know — Roscommon will play Kerry, Meath and Cork in Group B of the All-Ireland Series.
The Kingdom are in pole position to top the group unless Cork can pull another rabbit from the hat and take them to the wire in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, as they did in the recent Munster semi-final.
Two from Roscommon, Meath and Cork will make the last 12. The odd one out will receive their P45.
Roscommon blew a great opportunity of finishing second and securing a home play-off two years ago. Last year, they recorded their best championship wins in years by beating Tyrone in Omagh. Now they have a great chance to get the better of both Meath and Cork, and finish second. Anything else will be a huge disappointment.
The Rossies’ objective must be second place in the group. With Meath in the Hyde and Cork at a neutral venue, the ball is very much in their court. However, both Meath and Cork will be feeling the same way. The “Primrose and Blue” were the third seed that everyone wanted.
Roscommon need a big last 12 game in the Hyde. They have to make a statement.
Of all years, there will be some big hitters in second place. So the message is clear — finish second in the group to avoid the sharks.
After being well-beaten by Galway, another tough day at the office awaits on Saturday. Kerry are playing some great football and will be out to put on a show in Killarney.
Kerry will bring more of what the Tribesmen brought to the table, so Roscommon can expect a full-on 70 minutes. They must try and survive in the Killarney sauna.
Winning in Killarney is unlikely but winning at home to Meath two weeks’ later is achievable, which then leaves a 50/50 game against Cork.
Two wins are possible if improvements are made since the Connacht semi-final defeat. Some fresh faces and more pace in the side are a must to make that target a reality.
There are many reasons why Louth are currently riding the crest of a wave at club, underage and senior intercounty level.
By next Monday evening, the Wee County will have played in this year’s Leinster senior, U-20 and U-17 football championship finals. What’s more, they’re on course for a hat-trick of titles.
Good structures and coaching, and quality personnel in charge of their teams have been crucial. But the most important factor in the rise of Wee County, in my opinion, has been their Centre of Excellence in Darver, which was officially opened in 2014.
Since then, it has been the base for all Louth county teams to train. Players that were 13 or 14 years of age when Darver opened now arrive at training, expecting everything at their disposal on one site.
Over the past number of years we have seen Monaghan, Derry, Sligo and Offaly emerge from under the shadows of the bigger counties, making great strides at underage level. They have one thing in common with Louth — a fully-equipped Centre of Excellence.
Roscommon have been as good as any of those counties over the past 20 years, and continues to punch above its weight without the luxury of having a Centre of Excellence. Last Friday evening’s thrilling Connacht U-17 championship title triumph was a reminder of that.
The Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence is in the pipeline. But just imagine if Roscommon had a place like Darver or the Faithful Fields in Offaly — it would be so much easier for all our players, coaches and managements.
This season alone, Roscommon has produced a brilliant U-20 squad. We’re provincial U-17 champions and have good underage squads in the oven over the next number of years.
The Louth U-17 and U-20 footballers have beaten Dublin in both provincial semi-finals this season, which is an incredible achievement. These players are reaping a rich harvest from having Darver as their football home.
The proof is in the pudding.
I had white smoke quicker than the chimney on the Sistine Chapel as my Tuesday Teaser conclave got their business done early.
Apart from Paddy Neilan, can you name the last referee from the province to have taken charge of the Connacht SFC final? It was Seamus Prior (Leitrim) who refereed the 1998 drawn and replayed Connacht SFC finals between Galway and Roscommon.
Michael Scally, Ballaghaderrreen, was first to get elected. Oliver Kelly, Cloontuskert; Henry Hamrock, Athleague; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; QPR, Frenchpark; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Murt Hunt, Ballyhuanis; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; John Croghan, Bundoran; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Pat, Sligo; Seán Farrell, Dublin; Tom Mullaney, Boyle; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Padraic Duffy, Keash; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Seán Toolan, Heston; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Mary McCarthy, Holloway, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, were also in the mix.
This week’s Teaser: When was the last time a provincial senior football final featured the reigning provincial winners against the reigning All-Ireland champions?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s Teaser came from Dublin.
Star pupil: Sam Mulroy becoming the first Louth captain to lift the Leinster SFC title in 68 years, scoring 1-7 in the process.
Crucial win for: Tipperary’s senior hurlers over All-Ireland champions Clare in the Munster SHC.
Much do better: Both the Offaly and Antrim hurlers are finding the going tough in the Leinster SHC, with zero points from three games.
Spot of bother: Surely, there was one official with common sense to shout stop as the Camogie Association jumped from the frying pan into a blazing fire, digging more holes for itself than ESB workers over the past seven days.
Weekend highlight: The Roscommon U-17 footballers winning a thrilling Connacht championship against Mayo in Castlebar on Friday evening.
It was refreshing and magical.
What a cracker: Lots of candidates for this week's show-stopper but the clash of Limerick and Cork in the Munster SHC steals the limelight.
“It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.”
Last Saturday's Ulster final was the third time Jim McGuinness and Kieran McGeeney have met in the football championship as managers, and the third time it went to extra time.
Connacht football is in a healthy state after three outstanding provincial finals at senior, U-20 and U-17 levels.
Each decider went to the final play of the game with three different winners — Galway, Mayo and Roscommon — emerging to take the honours after heart-stopping showdowns.
