Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A (Round 3)
Armagh v Roscommon at The Athletic Grounds on Sunday at 2 pm
Roscommon face their first really tough test in their quest for promotion from Division 3A when they take on Armagh on Sunday. Having accounted for Louth and Monaghan in their opening two games Ciarán Comerford’s men are in a good position with three games remaining.
Tyrone, Armagh and Roscommon are all unbeaten on four points and promotion will almost certainly lie between those three counties. Armagh are just ahead on points difference so it’s all to play for on Sunday. I expect that Roscommon will line out with much the same personnel as we have seen in the opening two games.
Alan Moore, Pat Nolan and Hugh Rooney have done well in the full-back line in front of Noel Fallon, and the defence looks solid. Eamon Flanagan has been playing well at centre half-back and the likes of Jack Donnelly and Conor Coyle will flank him.
Shane Curley has got a new lease of life this year at midfield and his free taking is vital to the Rossies. Darragh Heavey will probably be his midfield partner, Cathal Dolan is also a free taking option while Mike Kellehan has been operating ‘on the forty’. Pádraig Kelly is a class act and he scored some great points against Monaghan.
Cillian and Gearoid Egan and John Murray look likely to make up the rest of the attack and it looks a good, solid Roscommon team. But they will be up against it on Sunday and a really strong and resilient performance will be needed against an impressive home side.
If Roscommon can get into the game from the start they have a chance of recording a third win, but it won’t be easy.
Prediction: Roscommon
