Littlewoods National Camogie League Division Four (Round One): Roscommon v Mayo on Saturday in Ballyforan at 2 pm
Roscommon Camogie enters a new era when Frank Browne takes charge of his first competitive game of the junior side against his native Mayo in Ballyforan this Saturday at 2 pm.
The appointment of the vastly experienced Browne is certainly a bold one by Roscommon Camogie, and a statement of determination that they intend to challenge for promotion in the league and make substantial progress in the championship after a few years of stagnation.
The popular Ballyhaunis man comes with an excellent CV, having managed the Mayo ladies footballers, the Dublin senior camogie team and the Longford senior hurlers. Frank has brought back several well-known Roscommon players like Kelley Hopkins, Caroline Connaughton, Claire Curley, and Niamh Coyle, who will captain the team.
He made no secret of the fact that promotion from Division Four is one of his main aims this year.
“I don’t think Roscommon should be in Division Four. We are good enough to get out of this division.
“I have a few players back on the panel who, for various reasons, were not involved over the past couple of years, and they will bring their experience. We also have younger girls who have had success at underage level, so it’s now a matter of blending youth and experience.
“There are some great people involved here who love camogie. I know that things were at low ebb…but our aim is to try to put things right,” he said.
Frank is expecting a spirited challenge from his native county on Saturday.
“Mayo will be full of running and confident going into the match, but we intend to make our blend of youth and experience count, and bring the challenge to them.
“The sliotar moves at 110 miles per hour, and nothing will compete with that, so we have been focussing on the basic skills of the game like striking, hooking, blocking and scoring.
“With a new management team in place, it might be a chance to get a few wins, get confidence going, and get a Division Four title on the board. That would give us momentum for the championship later in the year.
“I hope that the championship is played straight after the league but that’s for another day. At the moment, we want to get off to a winning start on Saturday,” he concluded.
Hurling people west of the Shannon and much further afield will know of Frank Browne and his ability of get the best out of the many teams that he has managed over the years. His appointment should signal an exciting year ahead for the Rossies!
Prediction: Roscommon
