Roscommon’s forwards hold the key to victory against Cork
Players like Ben O'Carroll and Ciaráin Murtagh need to be on top of their game if Roscommon's interest in this year's SFC is alive after Saturday. Picture: INPHO/Juan Gasparini.
Leaving Cert students sat their maths exam on Friday last. On Saturday next, the footballers of Roscommon and Cork take their seat in the exam centre of Portlaoise. Their maths equation will be a one-word answer — win.
Roscommon have the safety net of a draw, which would secure their passage to the next round with a third place finish.
Their first priority is a victory. With Kerry playing Meath, there is the possibility of scoring difference coming into play to decide who finishes second and third.
At the moment Meath have +14 on Roscommon. If the Kingdom was to win heavily against the Royals, however, the door will open for Roscommon to sneak in if they do the business against Cork. If the Rebels beat Roscommon, then Meath are guaranteed second spot regardless of what happens against Kerry.
Last day out, the challenge was put in front of the Roscommon players to stand up, be counted and perform and, to their credit, they did. But it's always the game after that you get the true reading of a team’s desire.
When originally challenged, Roscommon performed. But can they do it the following day and the day after that, which separates the teams that have ambition and togetherness as a group?
Two years ago, Cork dumped Roscommon out of the championship. John Cleary’s men, who only have one win and three defeats in this year’s championship, know that victory on Saturday keeps them alive.
Against Meath, Davy Burke’s side showed that they can apply themselves under the new rules. They played on the front foot, brought pace and energy to the contest, confronted the demanding physical battles, and hunted down Meath at every opportunity.
The forwards played with power, drive and hunger. Unfortunately, bad wides and wrong options during crucial moments cost them the game. Roscommon only scored five times in the second half, albeit five two-pointers, which was very pleasing. But they should have added at least three or four more single scores.
It was a cut and thrust championship game for the 70-odd minutes. By the end, the large home support appreciated the honesty, pride and passion of the men wearing the Primrose and Blue jerseys.
It was great to score two goals. I have always said that this team need to get goals as it provides them with oxygen to go after the opposition. They messed up at least two more goal chances and missed a penalty. But, in fairness to Enda Smith, he landed a massive two-pointer moments later, which almost squared the deal after his missed spot kick.
This Cork team reminds me of Spurs in the Premier League — they will give you loads of chances, so Diarmaid Murtagh and Ben O'Carroll must be ready to pull the trigger when the opportunities arrive.
Daire Cregg, who gets into great positions, needs to give the pass earlier to compliment his work. Ciaráin Murtagh needs a few early scores to get his Mojo back.
Colm Neary and Senan Lambe were excellent in defence against Meath, with Brian Stack as composed as a choir conductor.
Nobody knows, not even Cork, what the Rebels will bring to the table. They could deliver a turbo-charged performance or blow up in the heat of battle.
It is back to the good old days of knockout championship football. The winner taking it all will only add to the occasion.
If Cork fail to beat Roscommon, it will be the first time since 2004 that the Rebels have failed to reach the last 12 of the All-Ireland SFC, so Roscommon know that the Rebels have championship pedigree.
It will require a repeat performance from the Meath game with more composure and game management from the forwards to get the job done.
It’s early in the championship season but the Roscommon intermediate ladies’ footballers’ backs are to the wall. Unless they come out fighting against Fermanagh on Sunday, 2025 will be remembered as a two-game championship season.
Defeat against Laois laid bare the harsh reality that Roscommon are an average side that do not possess enough quality players to dig out big results in the championship.
Fermanagh played Division Four League football this season and will meet Roscommon in Division Three next year after getting promoted. But one would have to imagine that the Primrose and Blue will have enough to get them over the line in Kiltoom.
Otherwise disaster looms.
In a week when the relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk came crashing down like a house of cards, my Tuesday Teaser gang remained strong and unified.
Can you name the last man to play senior championship hurling for Offaly and Limerick? It was Joe McKenna.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to have his voice heard. Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Joe Coyne, Tremane; Jimmy Fallon, Corbally, Elphin; Joe Carney, Curraghboy; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen, Paddy Boland, Youghal; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Tom Mullaney, Boyle; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; Pat, Sligo; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston, and Michael Kearns, Clapham also remained loyal to the group.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the last man to have won an All-Ireland SHC medal and a Lory Meagher Cup medal?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from London.
Star pupil: Sam Hannon scoring 0-6 from midfield and delivering an outstanding performance for the Roscommon U-17 footballers against Louth.
Crucial win for: the Cork hurlers who left a lot of pundits eating humble pie after an epic Munster SHC triumph.
Much do better: Take your pick as Laois and Antrim made tame exits from the Tailteann Cup, which ended the season on a sour note.
Spot of bother: Is it worth the cost for the New York senior footballers to play one game in the Tailteann Cup?
Weekend highlight: County Roscommon has a new batch of Bravehearts — our U-17 footballers who showed remarkable courage, character, resilience, and a never-say-die attitude to overcome a massive Louth challenge in an enthralling All-Ireland quarter-final at Kingspan Breffni on Saturday evening.
What a cracker: Donegal and Mayo will go at it full throttle. When you add in the Stephen Rochford factor and a packed King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park, you can be assured that a tasty dish will come out of the oven on Sunday afternoon.
“Don’t watch the clock, do as it does. Keep going.”
Mayo are unbeaten in 13 games in King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park since 2001 (eight league and five championship games).
Despite winning the Europa League, Ange Postecoglou might count it harsh to be sacked by Spurs but how many managers survive after losing 22 games in a Premier League season?
