Two-pointers are a ‘game changer’
Two-pointers have changed the game of Gaelic football in 2025. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
We won't know until all the votes have been counted in the Presidential Election if Mary Lou McDonald's famous word “game changer” comes to pass and Catherine Connolly’s next home is the Phoenix Park.
It is most likely that the verdict will not be reached until the same day as the Roscommon SFC final on Sunday, October 26th. How appropriate that would be when the champions of Roscommon have been elected.
Those same two words that the Sinn Féin leader used would be most apt in describing the club football championship here in County Roscommon. The new two-point rule has completely transformed the action on the pitch.
In the recent 12 Senior, Intermediate and Junior A Championship quarter-finals, there were 61 two-pointers scored. Only the senior football championship last eight clash between St. Brigid’s and Roscommon Gaels saw no orange flag being raised.
St. Faithleach’s and Michael Glaveys had the most with nine. Éire Óg and their two-point king, Conor Cox, kicked seven.
Pádraig Pearses dragged the game out of the fire against Boyle with five two-pointers, including a hat-trick of Paul Carey monsters in the dying minutes to keep the holders’ dreams of retaining the Fahey Cup alive.
Diarmuid and Ciaráin Murtagh, Connell Kennelly and David Rooney kicked scorers from way out in the next parish for a St. Faithleach’s side that looked like they were working on two-pointers in training. Clann na nGael kicked one during their defeat of Elphin.
No deficit is now too big to breach due to the “game changer” on the scoreboard.
It was also interesting that neither St. Brigid’s team kicked any two-pointers during club’s senior and intermediate quarter-finals.
In the Junior A championship, St. Aidan’s were top of the class with four orange flags against St. Ronan’s.
I have a love/hate relationship with the two-point rule. In my opinion, at senior intercounty level, all the top forwards in the country do not deserve two points for kicking the ball over the bar from 40-metres out. They are all capable of doing it, so one point would be enough.
On the plus side, these two-pointers have brought great excitement and drama, and have led to incredible comebacks along the way.
This year's Roscommon club championships have gone into overdrive. Club players have raised more orange flags than a July parade up north.
Connacht’s five defending county senior football champions — Pádraig Pearses, Mohill, Coolera/Strandhill, Ballina and Corofin — are still standing, with four of them in their respective county semi-finals.
Reigning provincial club champions, Coolera/Strandhill, are back in another Sligo SFC final against Shamrocks Gaels on Sunday week.
In Mayo, three former intercounty managers are in the last four. Pat Homes is in charge of Westport. Ray Dempsey is in the Knockmore hotseat, with Joe Brolly for company. John Maughan is coaching the Crossmolina team, who after winning last year's All-Ireland intermediate title, are chasing senior glory. They have a chance with rising star, Kobe McDonald, in outstanding form.
The Roscommon, Mayo and Leitrim semi-finals take place this weekend. Galway holders, Corofin, reached the last four, beating Dunmore McHales by 16 points last weekend.
Sitting at the round table in the Roscommon SFC, Group B has uncovered three Traitors as Clann na nGael, St. Faithleach’s and Pádraig Pearses have reached the semi-final.
St. Brigid's are the only Faithful left in the race, ensuring that at least one Traitor will make the final.
It got me wondering — is this the first time, under the current system, that three teams from the same group have reached the penultimate stage of the championship?
If it has happened before, please let me know at willieefc@gmail.com.
By the time Maria Steen had failed to make it onto the Presidential ballot paper, my teaser hopefuls had their nomination papers handed in.
Can you name the goalkeeper who kept three successive clean sheets in All-Ireland senior football finals? It was Johnny Geraghty with Galway in 1964, 1965 and 1966.
QPR, Frenchpark, was first to sign on the dotted line. Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Brian Stenson, Castlerea; Martin Walshe, Carrowbehy; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; David Callaghan, Castlerea; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; John Croghan, Bundoran; Pat Higgins, Ballaghaderreen; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Paddy Duignan, Castlerea; Pat, Sligo; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Toolan, Heston, and Michael Kearns, Clapham also had their signatures stamped.
This week’s Teaser: Can you name the last player to have played senior championship football for and against Galway?
Answers by email to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from Dublin.
Star pupil: Conor Morris who has now scored 2-5 for Four Roads in successive senior hurling finals.
Crucial win for: Both Sligo Rovers and Galway United in their frantic efforts to avoid the dreaded relegation play-off spot.
Much do better: Oran will be disappointed with their second-half performance against Four Roads in Sunday’s senior hurling final.
Spot of bother: With four games remaining, Waterford United find themselves in the Premier Division relegation play-off place.
Weekend highlight: It was wonderful to see some of Roscommon's greatest hurlers being honoured at half-time during last Sunday’s senior hurling final.
The 1994 All-Ireland Senior B winners and 1999 intermediate champions were looking hale and hearty.
What a cracker: It’s hard to beat a good, old-fashioned local derby.
With a place in the Roscommon senior football final at stake, the clash of St. Brigid’s and Clann na nGael is sure to whet the appetite next Sunday.
“Don’t climb a mountain for the world to see you. Climb a mountain for you to see the world.”
Last Saturday was the first time since April 16th, 1994, that Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea lost on the same day in the Premier League.
The NFL game in Croke Park last Sunday was over-hyped and didn’t float my boat.
Taking half a day to play a match is nonsense.
The doubters hadn’t bargained for Pádraig Pearses’ resilience, character and courage. Obviously, they haven’t been paying attention in class.
Frank Canning’s men have won four on the bounce, including two after extra time. Last day out against Boyle, they came from seven points down with eight minutes to play to force extra time before running riot.
In both periods of extra-time against Oran and Boyle, Pádraig Pearses have scored 1-18, which suggests their fitness levels are off the charts.
But St. Faithleach’s are dangerous and armed, with enough weapons to make this a proper game in what will be the third championship meeting between the sides in 12 months.
After their tumble against Michael Glaveys, all eyes were on St. Brigid’s to see if it was just a blip or something more serious.
There was no need to panic as normal service resumed against Roscommon Gaels. Anthony Cunningham’s men got back on the horse, producing a second-half performance that left their critics with egg on their face.
Clann did what they had to do against Elphin. They are lying in the long grass but will have to produce their best display of the season to puncture their neighbours’ tyres.
Strokestown have been warned. I presume a quick call to neighbours Tulsk had left the message loud and clear — tread carefully as another Fuerty minefield could be waiting to explode.
Could Fuerty strike again after walking a blinded Tulsk into their ambush? But the way Strokestown dealt with Creggs suggests the Black and Amber will be ready.
Both teams would have taken this position before the championship commenced.
Éire Óg were always likely to be chasing a place in the final. St. Michael’s have come in under the radar and will be full of confidence.
Over the past three years, Éire Óg have been beaten in two finals and one semi-final. Despite the hurt, experience and character has also been built.
The Junior A champions of two years ago, St. Michael’s, are on an upward curve under James Martin. The Henry brothers are kicking scores for fun.
Conor Cox is a one-man slot machine for Éire Óg. Just like last year’s Premier League, the “Slot” machine is likely to pay out.
Without offending Western Gaels who have done brilliantly to reach this stage of the competition, it looks like St. Croan’s are going to reach the Junior A final without breaking sweat.
After being relegated from the intermediate ranks 12 months ago, the Ballintubber/Ballymoe outfit know that a return flight must be instant.
A proper Junior A football championship semi-final between two first teams trying to reach the promised land.
Both know what's on the table and have impressed to date by jumping four clear rounds. Both teams have beaten Clann na nGael’s second side, which is always a good benchmark.
I have a slight fancy for Ballinameen.
