Warm and Cosy Homes Roscommon Junior ‘A’ Championship Final: Kilglass Gaels v Creggs on Sunday at Strokestown at 2 pm
Creggs will be the hot favourites to land their first Junior ‘A’ football title in 33 years when they take on Kilglass Gaels in a final that is sure to draw a huge crowd to Strokestown on Sunday. The sides have met twice this year. In the league it was Kilglass who prevailed but in the group stages of the championship, Creggs turned the tables.
Even though there were eight points between the teams in the championship game it was only in the last ten minutes that Creggs pulled away and that will give Kilglass hope on Sunday.
Creggs have been a team transformed in 2016. Under Ger Dowd and Jonathan Conroy, they have played some classy football in the championship and have put up some big scores. The return of former Roscommon county player James McKeague to their ranks has been crucial and he has been a leader at from centre half back this year.
Tom Fleming and joint team captain Colin Canny have been doing well at midfield, while up front young Shane Dowd looks a really good player at centre half-forward and Enda Conneran will be a handful at full-forward. The fact that Kieran Dowd is also back in the Creggs team to play regularly this year is a huge boost to them as well.
Kilglass will come into the final as underdogs, which will suit them fine. They have plenty of players on their side with loads of experience. Lads like Gavin Tully, Leo Cox, David Nugent, Diarmuid Connellan, Pierce Bolger, Richard Dooner and Tommy Cox have served with great distinction over the years and they will be determined to do well on this huge occasion for the club.
Creggs have been very impressive in the championship so far. They look strong all over the field and they have played some really good football on their way to the final. The midfield battle will be crucial and if Tom Fleming and Colin Canny can win that duel and provide their attackers with enough ball, they should be good enough to win it for the first time since 1983. Prediction: Creggs
Team Managers:
Dermot Washington (Kilglass Gaels). Ger Dowd and Jonathan Conroy (Creggs).
