It’s the biggest day for Roscommon GAA in a number of years at Kingspan Breffni Park and Roscommon senior hurlers will get a deserved place in the sun on Sunday when they clash with Sligo in the NHL Division 3 final which will be an attractive curtain-raiser to the Division 2 football final at the same venue. The throw-in is at 1.45 pm and Roscommon will be hoping to add the divisional title to the promotion that they have already secured to Division 2. Roscommon team manager David McConn is thrilled that the hurlers and footballers are playing on the same bill. ‘It’s brilliant, we are so looking forward to this final now that we are playing before the footballers. I want to pay a massive tribute to the football and hurling boards in Roscommon for making this happen. They went in to the fixtures meeting and would not take no for an answer and I want to pay tribute to Seamus Maher and our own hurling officials for helping to bring this double fixture about’ he told me. ‘It’s great for the Roscommon hurlers and footballers but it’s even better for all the genuine Roscommon GAA fans who will be able to see both the hurlers and footballers in action in national finals on the same day. I also want to thank the Sligo Co. Board for agreeing to the change to Breffni Park.’ David McConn is expecting a tough battle against Sligo. ‘They always have always been up for a battle whenever they play Roscommon and this match will be no different. If we don’t play well we will be beaten it’s a simple as that, but there will be no complacency. We are utterly determined to win this final’ he says. Roscommon will operate with a near full panel for Sunday’s final. ‘Damien Kenny has a groin problem but that’s the only short-term injury we have. Michael Keaveney, Gary Fallon and David Delaney are all out long- term and they will not come into the reckoning until nearer championship time’ said the Roscommon manager. Roscommon will be the favourites to win this final but Sligo have several experienced players to call upon, including Paul Seevers who is a class act and who is capable of breaking Roscommon hearts on Sunday. Others to keep an eye out for on Sunday in the black and white are Johnny Mullins and Matt Burke. Given that Roscommon can call on the likes of Michael Kelly, Mervyn Connaughton, Tommy Reddington, David Loughnane and Brendan Hanley to name but a few they should be good enough to begin the day on a winning note for The Rossies. Manager David McConn is looking forward to the big day and is appealing to Roscommon fans to travel early to support the hurlers. ‘There is a great buzz among our lads about Sunday. I have got a great response from them in training and this this a great reward for them. I am appealing to Roscommon supporters to come early and support the hurlers and hopefully we can deliver that trophy to start the day off well. ‘I also want to wish the footballers well. I have seen them training over recent months and they have put in a huge effort. It should be a great day for Roscommon GAA on Sunday in Cavan and hopefully we can play a big part in it’ he concluded.
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