NHL Division 2B: Roscommon v Donegal on Sunday, March 10th at Dr Hyde Park (1 pm)
By Seamus Morris
Roscommon senior hurlers face a crunch home match against Donegal this Sunday at Dr Hyde Park. With three points from their three games so far, they lie in fourth place in the table.
A win would lift Roscommon closer to safety in what is a competitive division. But a win would also push them closer to one of the coveted top three positions (three get promoted, and there will be a final).
Their only win to date in the division came against London while another point was picked up in a draw against Wicklow, in Roscommon’s last outing.
Donegal, led by vastly experienced player Sean McVeigh, are also on three points.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s game, Roscommon manager Kevin Sammon confirms he is expecting a tough challenge.
“Donegal are a decent side. They reached the final of the Nicky Rackard Cup last year. It is great to be in the position that we are in in this division,” he stated.
The Clare native, in his first year in charge, is delighted that his side gained a point against Wicklow.
“It was great to get a result against Wicklow. The third-placed team will get promotion this season (there will be a new-look Division Two format next year) so there is a lot to play for,” Sammon commented.
His side will be looking for another big performance from Robbie Fallon, who scored 2-6 (1-6 from frees) against Wicklow.
Michael Hussey, fresh from success in the Freshers A final, where the Oran clubman was part of the winning UL side, is expected to make an impact for the senior hurlers in this game.
“Michael is a good lad; he is very committed. Robbie Fallon is back with the seniors after a few years out. We have about a dozen U-20s on the panel this season. They have been getting great experience,” the manager said.
Paddy Fallon is one of those U-20s. He scored 0-3 off the bench against Tyrone and Sammon says he will be in contention for a place on Sunday.
The manager’s one injury concern is Mickey Joe Egan, who scored 0-6 against Tyrone.
Sammon is happy with the support he has received in the county.
“Both the Hurling Board and the (overall) County Board have been very supportive. The numbers in training are very good. I travel from Clare to training but that is no effort,” he concluded.
