'Super Six' to determine the Rossies' fate
HOME COMFORTS: Caelim Keogh and his Roscommon team-mates will face four out of their next five games at home. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
With Killarney out of the way, what we reckoned might the equivalent of removing a thorn from one’s foot turned out to be a lovely stroll in the park on a perfect day. There was so much to be pleased about in what was a wonderful display.
Regardless, it leaves Mark Dowd with a “Super Six” in Division One. Four of those games are at home as the Rossies try and find a route out of the relegation more.
If Roscommon are to do the expected, and survive, they must pick up points in their next three games against Monaghan, Armagh and Galway. It’s impossible to see much return from the games against Dublin, Donegal and Mayo.
After Killarney, however, there is renewed hope that Roscommon can steer the ship towards the calmer water of survival.
Here’s how Roscommon’s next six opponents are shaping up.
From the moment the fixtures list came out, Mark Dowd knew that this was the game Roscommon must win if they were to have any chance of staying up.
Defeat in the Hyde next Sunday, and Roscommon will be sitting on death row and unlikely to get a stay of execution.
Four home games is a massive incentive, but this one is the key to opening the door to survival. The Primrose and Blue have a great record on home soil, but struggle on the road against the Farney men.
Gabriel Bannigan’s side will be feeling the same way and will fancy winning in Hyde. They also have four home games and a win on the road could keep them up.
In 2024, both sides only won a game each in Division One, with Monaghan beating Dublin and Roscommon overcoming Sunday’s opponents.
If Roscommon can bounce into this game after beating Monaghan, then it’s game on against the Orchard County.
Under Davy Burke, the Rossies pulled the rug from under the feet of Kieran McGeeney’s men in 2023, which was pivotal to Roscommon staying up in Division One three seasons ago.
Armagh are tough and resilient, and have far more experience than the home side.
The 2024 All-Ireland champions have targeted their first three games against Monaghan and Galway at home, and Roscommon away, as their “get out of jail card”, which would leave them in good health and ease the pressure for the remaining league games.
In their last two NFL Division One games, Roscommon have won in Pearse Stadium and drawn in King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park. So, there’s the hope that all may not be lost under the Saturday night lights of Salthill.
Manager Padraic Joyce is heading into his seventh season at the helm. He will want a steady league campaign, which means winning their homes game will be a priority.
Like a lot of teams, Galway have been hit with key players out injured. If Roscommon have some momentum heading to Salthill, things could be interesting.
As always, such a glamour fixture will grab the attention when the Dubs come to town. At this stage, Roscommon will know exactly where they stand on the league table.
Hopefully, the majority of the St. Brigid’s contingent will be back at this stage to boost the panel’s prospects.
New Dublin manager Ger Brennan will not want to be sucked into the bottom half of the table but getting the Blue Army out of Croke Park gives Roscommon hope if they are at full strength.
The last time Jim McGuinness was in Hyde Park, he was complaining that Donegal had to stay “beyond the venue” in the Hodson Bay Hotel. Wouldn’t it be some scalp for Roscommon if the beaten All-Ireland football finalists checked out of the Hyde with a defeat?
With a five-week gap between the end of the league and the Ulster championship quarter-final against Down, however, it leaves the door open for Donegal to take the league seriously, which spells bad news for Roscommon.
The concluding fixture sees Roscommon heading to Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar.
It will either be a wake and relegation to Division Two or, hopefully, there might be a glimmer of hope for the visitors.
If Mayo are safe, a window of opportunity will open, perhaps, but it’s likely that the Green and Red will have little sympathy for Roscommon’s plight once they have secured top-flight league football in 2027.
With only three home games, Andy Moran’s Mayo might need something on Judgement Day.
My Tuesday Teaser gang kept their New Year’s resolutions last week, by getting on the treadmill and coming up with the correct answer.
Can you name the last two Connacht footballers to score goals in a Dublin SFC final? It was two Galway men — Shane Walsh raising a green flag for Kilmacud Crokes against Ballyboden in 2023 and Cein Darcy did likewise for Ballyboden against Na Fianna last October.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to improve his time, with Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; John Croghan, Bundoran; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Pat Deane, Williamstown; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Pat, Sligo; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, also staying fit and healthy.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the player who scored for both teams in an All-Ireland minor football final?
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from Sligo.
Unfortunately, one of my most loyal Tuesday Teaser contributors, Paddy Boland, is recovering in hospital at the moment.
Every Sunday evening, shortly after 7 p.m., a text message arrives with the answer from Youghal in County Cork. Paddy’s family, when visiting their Dad, are his technical assistants.
Many thanks to Paddy’s son Eamon for letting me know that his Dad is unwell. Paddy loves the weekly teaser, and here’s hoping it's not too long before he is back home and sending me his weekly answers. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
Star pupil: Daire Cregg who produced an outstanding display, scoring 0-9 for Roscommon against Kerry.
Crucial win for: The Roscommon senior hurlers who enjoyed a dramatic victory over Wicklow, thanks to Adam Donnelly’s late goal.
Much do better: How costly could Arsenal’s home defeat to Manchester United be in the Premier League title race? To their credit, they answered that in emphatic fashion against Leeds.
Spot of bother: Monaghan are under pressure after a heavy opening day league defeat against Armagh in Clones.
Weekend highlight: The opening of the new Clan Stand at the Dexcom Stadium is a game-changer for Connacht Rugby — the western province’s wonderful €40 million redeveloped facility in Galway City looks the part.
What a cracker: With so much at stake, King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park hosts a massive Division One Football League encounter between Roscommon and Monaghan on Sunday next.
“It's none of my business what people say of me and think of me. I am what I am, and I do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. And it makes life so much easier.”
That joint Offaly senior football manager, Mickey Harte, will play three of his previous counties — Tyrone, Derry and Louth — in Division Two of the National Football League.
After a fine start last Sunday, the Roscommon intermediate ladies’ footballers will be hoping to back their opening day victory up with another one over Fermanagh, who shared the spoils after a thrilling draw with Laois.
