Rossies require two wins to survive
Former Roscommon U-21 football manager, Nigel Dineen, has taken over the Elphin intermediate footballers for 2024. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie
At this stage 12 months ago, after two games, Monaghan had no points and Galway had a single point, just as they do now, at the bottom of the Division One Football League table. Both teams eventually survived the cull from the top flight as Donegal and Armagh slipped through the relegation trap door.
This season, Roscommon just have a draw to their name before they set sail for Croke Park next Saturday. All is not lost and there’s still time to recover, but victories are needed before the pressure grows.
Roscommon require a host of teams searching for points to become embroiled in a scrap to survive. They must also keep their scoring difference around the zero mark.
At the moment, Derry, Kerry and Mayo look to be a cut above the rest. All-Ireland champions, Dublin, will pull clear of the relegation zone, so that leaves Roscommon, Galway, Monaghan and Tyrone battling to keep their heads above water.
I believe that two wins could keep Roscommon up. Five points could be the magic figure if things remain tight heading into the final series of games.
What is clear is that Roscommon will have to beat Monaghan at home in two weeks’ time if they are to stay up. On the final day, Roscommon are away to a Derry side that potentially could be in the league final a week later. That scenario that might work in Roscommon’s favour, like it did for Monaghan last season as the Farney men won in Castlebar against a second string Mayo side that were already thinking about a league final.
If Kerry need points, it’s hard to see Roscommon having a happy St. Patrick’s Day at home against the Kingdom. That leaves Mayo away under lights, a game that, if Roscommon have beaten Monaghan six days earlier, could become very interesting.
At the moment, Roscommon are not playing as well as they were a year ago. Their midfield and forwards are struggling. The longer a team are searching for their first win, the greater the anxiety becomes as games start to run out.
If Roscommon end up surviving, it will be a massive achievement.
If Strokestown’s surprise eviction to the intermediate football championship wasn’t enough to raise the temperature, along comes Nigel Dineen as Elphin’s new manager to stir the pot further.
The former county star is back in the ring and will be keen to turn Elphin into a team that could land a knockout blow before the season plays out.
Dineen will bring great experience to the Orchard Park-based club. He brought the Roscommon U-21 footballers to two All-Irelands finals, got Strokestown to a couple of county senior football semi-finals and spent a term with Paul Taylor when he managed the Sligo senior football team.
Having seen Castlerea St. Kevin’s and Éire Óg steal a march in 2023, Elphin will want to make up lost ground and be one of the main players in the 2024 intermediate football championship.
On the 41st anniversary since Shergar went missing, last week’s Tuesday Teaser left plenty of readers feeling lost.
Can you name the first ever referee to use Hawkeye in a GAA championship match in Croke Park? It was Rory Hickey from Clare who used Hawkeye in the Offaly versus Kildare Leinster SFC clash on June 1st, 2013.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to receive a Tá, with Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; John Croghan, Bundoran; Brian Stenson, Castlerea; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; Pat, Sligo; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also finding their destination.
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s Teaser comes from New York.
Star pupil: Stevie Mulrooney — the eight-year-old from Kilkenny who gave an outstanding rendition of Ireland’s Call before Ireland beat Italy in the Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Crucial win for: Arsenal as they kept pace with Liverpool and Manchester City in an intriguing Premier League title race.
Much do better: Cork will be disappointed to have been defeated in their opening National Hurling League games.
Spot of bother: Heartbreak for Roscommon Community College as they lost their Connacht Colleges’ D Senior Football championship final against St. Cuan’s on penalties.
Weekend highlight: Aoife O’Rourke winning gold at the prestigious Strandja Memorial boxing tournament in Bulgaria.
What a cracker: There is no love lost when Meath and Louth clash. With both Counties in need of league points, Sunday’s Division Two clash in Navan will have extra spice.
“The most important key to success is having the discipline to do what you know should be done even when you don’t feel like doing it.”
That Cavan is the only county in all four divisions of the National Football League who have yet to score or concede a goal.
A wonderful occasion for St. Michael’s players and management this Saturday night (tonight) in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon as they celebrate their historic league and junior championship double, which brought great joy to the parish and North Roscommon.
