Allianz NHL Division 3A Final: Roscommon v Armagh on Saturday at Pairc Tailteann, Navan at 2pm
Roscommon hurlers can complete a remarkable turnaround in Navan on Saturday when they contest the Division 3A final after a campaign which saw manager Francis O’Halloran resign after just two games following a defeat to Louth at Dr Hyde Park.
Seamus Qualter’s appointment has proven a masterstroke by the County Board and now the team are just 70 minutes from promotion and some silverware, both of which looked extremely unlikely just a month ago.
This Saturday, Roscommon team will play an Armagh they defeated by no less than 20 points just three weeks ago at Dr Hyde Park. However, the Roscommon manager remains cautious.
“The game in Hyde Park a couple of weeks ago will have absolutely no bearing on what will happen in Navan on Saturday. We are expecting a tough battle and a close game,” Seamus Qualter told People Sport on Tuesday.
“Owen Kiernan is very doubtful for the match with a hamstring injury but Eamon Mulry is back fit and Hugh Rooney is also back training and we will be travelling to Navan determined to win the game. It would be very important to be promoted in the league ahead of what will be a tough championship campaign.
“We played Armagh a few weeks ago and we play them again on Saturday and then again in the championship so the teams will know each other well by the time this year is over. But all we want on Saturday is that the lads put in a big performance and do themselves justice on the day,” he concluded.
It is very unlikely that there will be twenty points between the teams on Saturday but Roscommon have the momentum and it would be a surprise if they don’t prevail by at least five or six points.
Prediction: Roscommon.
