Rossies qualify for Super 8s!
I have watched The Sunday Game twice since last Sunday night and I still can’t figure out whether Ciaran Whelan and Tomas Ó Sé were trying to praise or criticise Roscommon. One minute Roscommon were ‘brilliant’, the next they were ‘very vulnerable’. They said Roscommon ‘could give a lot of teams trouble’ and equally that ‘they could be badly caught’. Talk about covering all their bases! Either way, Roscommon are now where they wanted to be, and that’s in the Super 8s.
One thing is for certain, there will be upsets and surprises in this competition, and it may not be as straightforward as everyone thinks. Roscommon are now in bonus territory and every outing will bring our team on. With Division One to come in the spring, it is a perfect way to progress.
I was so glad for the players and for the management after Saturday’s win against Armagh. They have put in a savage amount of work over the past few years and they deserve their day in the sun. I said it already in the match report, but last Saturday was one of the great days in Roscommon football. Hopefully, as they say…the best is yet to come.
I genuinely feel that if we can tighten up in defence that we can give Tyrone a good rattle on Saturday. They have a system that they play to and they have four of five outstanding players. But they are not the team they were and Roscommon have a great chance against them. If Roscommon were to win this game then we would be playing Donegal in Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday week for a place in the All-Ireland semi-final. Just think about that!
Scenes of celebration on Saturday
The fact that the Roscommon fans ran out on to the field to acclaim their heroes after the win against Armagh attracted much comment on social media. The Tyrone and Cork teams came out to do their warm-ups to be greeted by hundreds of Roscommon fans celebrating the win against Armagh. It was a lovely thing to see and it’s another indication of the level of support that there is in the county for this team. There were plenty of people giving out and complaining. You know what they about the begrudgers…I say the same! The only thing is, I doubt if the Rossies will get away with it if we beat Tyrone on Saturday in Croke Park!
Huge weekend for county’s young footballers
It’s a huge weekend for our young footballers, both boys and girls. The minor ladies team face Kildare on Sunday in Moate in the All-Ireland ‘B’ final. The game in the county is on a high right now and there are many people in the background who are working hard to bring it to a higher level. It is always good to back up this work with success on the field and on the back of the recent Intermediate Connacht title it would be great to add this trophy to the cabinet. We wish everyone concerned the best of luck.
Before that, on Friday night, the minor footballers face Galway in a revenge mission in the Connacht final. Coming home from Tuam after round one of the championship this year very few Roscommon people would have given the team any chance of being in this position after a 22-point hammering at the hands of the Tribesmen. Full credit to all concerned, they have recovered well and wins against Mayo, Leitrim and Sligo see them in this position now.
Roscommon have a very good team and some very classy players, but the big question is, have they recovered enough to be able to overcome Galway in this final? It has to be said that Roscommon are prone to lapses in concentration. That was evident against Galway, in the first half against Leitrim and again last Friday night against Sligo. If Roscommon don’t play for the entire 60 minutes then it will not be good enough against a really classy Galway outfit. The best of luck to Paul Staunton, his management team and the players. It’s good to have the match at home in Hyde Park too.
Ballyliffin sparkles for Irish Open
The Irish Open Golf Championships at Ballyliffin was one of the best we have seen to date with drama all the way to the very last putt. It was just a pity that there was no Irish player able to contend.
The decision to play the championship in Ballyliffin was a huge gamble but with the fantastic weather it paid off and as I said here last week, the publicity that Ballyliffin, Donegal and Ireland got last weekend was simply priceless.
I sat down for half an hour last Friday evening to watch the Sky Sports coverage and they showed the nearby Slieve League cliffs, the local beaches and mountains, and the stunning scenery. They even featured several dolphins swimming and having fun close to the shore. It was like watching a golf tournament in Florida or The Caribbean. Well done to all concerned. Next year they are off to Lahinch. They will have some job to match what went on this year.
All-Ireland SFC Super 8s Round 1 (All games in Croke Park)
Saturday at 5 pm: Roscommon v Tyrone
This match is previewed in more detail elsewhere in the paper this week, but Tyrone will pose far more problems for Roscommon than Armagh did. It would be one of the sweetest championship wins in many years if Roscommon could pull it off, but Tyrone will simply strangle the life out of Roscommon as they do to most other teams. It will not be pretty.
Prediction: Tyrone.
Saturday at 7 pm: Dublin v Donegal
This is one of those games that could be the makings of the Super 8s. Donegal have nothing to lose and they can give this a lash. However, the loss of Paddy McBrearty is massive. Donegal have plenty of very good players but it is hard to see anything other than a Dublin win. It could be close, but the juggernaut to roll on.
Prediction: Dublin.
Sunday at 2 pm: Monaghan v Kildare
Kildare will come in to this game oozing with confidence and Monaghan will have to be about their business to win. I am so impressed with the Kildare attack and Daniel Flynn in particular. But if Monaghan bring their ‘A’ game they should be good enough to start this competition with a win.
Prediction: Monaghan.
Sunday at 4 pm: Galway v Kerry
In direct competition with the World Cup Final, this will be a fascinating game. Will the Kerry young guns be able to break the Galway defensive shield? Galway were less than convincing winners of the Connacht final, while Kerry eviscerated Cork in the Munster final. I am giving a hesitant vote to The Kingdom.
Prediction: Kerry.
All-Ireland SHC Quarter-Finals
Clare v Wexford at Pairc Ui Caoimh on Saturday at 3 pm
What a game this promises to be. Davy Fitzgerald in opposition to his beloved native county. This could be one of the contests of what has already been a memorable championship. Clare might have just enough firepower to survive. It might go to extra-time though.
Prediction: Clare.
Limerick v Kilkenny in Semple Stadium on Sunday at 2 pm
It’s a quick turnaround for the Cats who were excellent in defeat in the Leinster final against Galway. Only a fool would write off the chances of Kilkenny but Limerick look a good side this year and they will come into the match fresh.
Prediction: Limerick.
