U-17 footballers must get more scores
Shay McGuinness and the Roscommon minor footballers face a tough task against Kerry in Ennis on Saturday evening. Picture: INPHO/James Lawlor
Over the past two weeks, the minds of the Roscommon U-17 footballers will have been playing tricks on them.
Initially, the prospect of facing Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final would have brought excitement, intrigue and mystery. The players and management will have been planning and preparing to answer the hard questions the Kingdom will bring to the exam centre as the Leaving Cert gets underway this week.
At this stage, however, the reality will have taken root. The Munster champions cut through Cork like a hot knife through butter, winning their 51st provincial crown by 15 points.
It’s very hard to make sense of how Kerry, in the space of three weeks, could go from beating Cork by just two points in the provincial quarter-final to thumping the Rebels 21 days later by 2-18 to 1-6. But Roscommon must try to get their heads around that equation.
Once they hop off the Club Rossie bus on Saturday evening at Cusack Park, Ennis, they will do so with history on their side. Twice before at minor level, Roscommon have left Kerry on the canvass following outstanding performances at the popular County Clare venue.
The All-Ireland minor final replay in 2006 and All-Ireland U-17 semi-final in 2017 saw the young guns wearing Primrose and Blue climb the mountain against the Green and Gold.
While those momentous moments will have no relevance to what happens on Saturday, it will be in the players’ minds that previous Roscommon teams have stood firm in the face of adversity to triumph.
These players weren’t even born when Fergal O’Donnell’s marvels won the Tom Markham Cup 18 years ago but it can inspire them to believe that the county jersey they are wearing can beat anyone on their day.
For Roscommon to stand any chance of winning, their scoring rate must improve big time or else their seventh game in this year’s championship will be their last.
Apart from the Leitrim game when they notched 15 points, this Roscommon side have real problems getting the ball over the crossbar. They are struggling to reach double figures. In their last three games, they have posted eight points against Sligo, five against Galway and ten against Mayo in the Connacht final.
Goals against Sligo and Galway — five in total — did the trick, but unless they hit 14 or 15 points against Kerry, their championship journey will come to a painful conclusion.
They will also have to cut out living on the edge in defence. They paid a big price against Mayo in the Connacht final by trying to be too wise, inviting unnecessary trouble on themselves.
When Roscommon go direct, they are at their most dangerous. They have forwards who thrive on quick ball and creating overlaps.
Kerry have hit 2-37 in their last two games against Limerick and Cork. While they have posted large scores, they are coming into Ennis undercooked. They haven’t endured a cut-throat game to test their resolve when the heat is on.
But, like all Kerry teams, they have forwards that are capable of unlocking any security system alongside the usual height and power in midfield.
For 50-odd minutes against Mayo in the Connacht final, Roscommon were in the ball game until a major defensive lapse turned the tide in favour of the Green and Red. If Roscommon hadn’t received that black card, I still think that Mayo would have won as they were becoming dominant entering the closing furlong.
This Roscommon team have a great attitude. They do not shy away from any challenge, they have a great skill-set and, at times, they play with a free spirit.
Kerry have four exceptional footballers in Ben Murphy, Killian Dennehy, Gearóid White and Ronan Carroll who have been dictating their contests this season.
While Ennis has been a happy hunting ground, it will count for nothing unless Roscommon’s scoring rate improves dramatically. In reality, it’s hard to see how the beaten Connacht finalists can suddenly increase their tally by enough to get elected.
When Roscommon and Cavan clash the weekend after next in their final round-robin game, the reality is that both teams have lost three times in the championship. Yet they are still in contention in the race to win the Sam Maguire Cup.
While that won’t happen, it is still mad that teams that have been beaten three times could still win the All-Ireland title. You can add Derry, Westmeath, Clare and Meath into the mix who have all lost three times.
Six weeks ago, almost 14,000 supporters watched Mayo beat Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final at Dr. Hyde Park. Last Saturday, at the same venue in the All-Ireland Series, just over 8,500 spectators attended, which highlights there are too many matches, the majority of which don’t count.
If the GAA is to stick with the current formula they must only allow the top two teams to qualify and do away with three out of four teams progressing, which means getting rid of the preliminary play-off games.
Too many games are one-sided, are poor value for money, and are played in front of dwindling crowds. There’s a lack of interest until the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
In my opinion, the current system is dying a slow death. It must be so hard on players who have lost three championship games to have the hunger and motivation to keep going.
Ahead of the last week of canvassing for the local and European elections, my Tuesday Teaser are polling well.
Can you name the last man to win All-Ireland senior club medals with two different clubs? It was Alan Kerins of Galway who won an All-Ireland club football crown with Salthill (2006) and a hurling title with Clairnbridge (2011).
Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis, was elected on the first count, with Bernard Duffy Longford/Loughglynn; John Croghan, Bundoran; QPR, Frenchpark; John McHugh, Strokestown; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Luigi, Ballyhaunis; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore, and Pat, Sligo, also into the mix to be elected.
Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from Dublin.
Star pupil: Eoghan McLaughlin shone like the sun in Dr. Hyde Park as the Mayo player was in majestic form, scoring 0-3 from play.
Crucial win for: Cork’s senior footballers over Donegal as it has given the Rebels real hope of finishing top of their group.
Much do better: Longford knocked out of the Tailteann Cup by Waterford ended a bad year for Paddy Christie's side.
Spot of bother: Derry have completely fallen off the wagon. Another loss, this time to Armagh, suggests that their championship hopes have gone up in smoke.
Weekend highlight: Offaly winning their first-ever All-Ireland U-20 hurling championship final by beating Tipperary, and how much it meant to their wonderful supporters.
What a cracker: Never mind lightning striking once, it struck for a second time in last season’s Munster SHC final between Limerick and Clare.
These great rivals are back a third time on Sunday in Thurles to produce more flashes of brilliance.
“Two things define you — your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything.”
Of the 16 games played in the opening two rounds of the All-Ireland football championship round robin series, there have been nine home wins, six away wins and one draw.
Wishing all students, including my own nephew Daniel Hegarty, who are commencing their Junior and Leaving Cert exams this week all the best.
