Nickey Rackard Cup: Roscommon v Armagh on Sunday at Dr Hyde Park at 2 pm
Roscommon face Armagh for the third time in just five weeks on Sunday for the start of this year’s Nickey Rackard Cup, and after victories by 20 points and eight points respectively, it would be a major shock if Armagh were to win on Sunday.
The players who won promotion and the league Division 3A title will once again be in the frame and there won’t be too many changes from the team that beat the Orchard County in the final in Navan just two weeks ago.
However, Eoin Fitzgerald is definitely out and he will be a big loss as he was a considerable presence in the middle of the field during the league campaign. Roscommon have a very impressive spine and Enda Lawless, Mark Ward, Conor Cosgrove, Mickey Joe Egan and Conor Mulry have all been playing very well. With Paddy Fallon a top-class free taker, it looks a fairly straightforward task for Roscommon on Sunday.
Donegal, Louth, Fermanagh and Wicklow are also in the competition this year with the top two teams meeting in the final.
Prediction: Roscommon.
The Roscommon U-20 hurlers will face Down in the All-Ireland ‘B’ semi-final on Saturday at Dowdallshill, Co. Louth at 2 pm. Thomas Fleming, Paddy Fallon and Sean Dowd from the senior panel are all eligible and will be lining out. Down beat Roscommon by 2-15 to 0-15 in last year’s final and will be slight favourites to advance.
