2026 Hodson Bay Group Roscommon SFC round-up
Group A
St Brigid’s put down a marker for the rest of the championship with a resounding 1-24 to 0-12 win against Michael Glaveys at Kiltoom. Ben O’Carroll was the star of the show for the champions, scoring 1-8 on the night. See match report.
In the other game in the group Strokestown came out on top against Western Gaels in a high-scoring encounter in Frenchpark on Saturday evening. The three goals that Strokestown scored were crucial in a game that featured no less than nine two-pointers, seven of them scored by Western Gaels.
Goals from Kevin Finn and Shane McGinley (a superb effort) helped Strokestown into a 2-6 to 0-5 half-time lead. Former Roscommon minor goalkeeper Patrick Gaynor was superb from frees and he scored no less than four two-pointers as the Gaels kept up the pressure on Strokestown. A third Strokestown goal, from Evan Moran, proved crucial as last year’s intermediate champions began their campaign with a winning display. Final score: Strokestown 3-14 Western Gaels 0-20.
Group B
Pádraig Pearses started their campaign with a comprehensive 2-17 to 0-12 win against Roscommon Gaels at Woodmount on Friday night last. Paul Carey scored 1-6 for the winners who were rampant in the second half (see report).
In Boyle, the home side had seven points to spare against Clann na nGael in what was a competitive match. Boyle lined out without Enda Smith and Daire Cregg. The home team played well on the night and especially in the second quarter. A run of nine points without reply saw them open up a 10-point gap that was to prove decisive in the end, with Cathal McKeon scoring a couple of two-pointers. Half-time score was Boyle 0-12 Clann 0-4.
Clann were much better after the break and a couple of well-taken points and an excellent goal from Ultan Harney brought them back into the game. The score that decided it was a well worked goal scored by Luke McGrath in the 55th minute. Final score: Boyle 1-17 Clann na nGael 1-10.
Group C
Oran brushed aside the challenge of Elphin to record a comprehensive 4-16 to 1-4 win at Rockfield on Friday evening. Pat Regan’s charges were on top from the opening whistle. Elphin were without Shane and Enda Killoran and they were outclassed on this occasion.
Oran led 3-6 to 0-2 after a one-sided first half. Oran’s goals came from man of the match Colin Walsh in the 19th minute, James Fitzpatrick a minute later and Eoghan Murray from the penalty spot in the 26th minute.
The pattern continued in the second half. Frankie Cregg got a consolation goal for Elphin but there was still time for Colin Walsh to score his second goal of the evening in the 52nd minute.
In Ballyleague, St Faithleach’s got their campaign off to a flying start as they defeated Castlerea St Kevin’s by 3-14 to 1-9. It looked as if it would be a close-run thing as the teams were well matched in the opening half. Faithleach’s got an early goal from Dave Rooney but a well-taken goal from Adam McDermott helped Castlerea into a 1-6 to 1-4 lead at half-time.
St Faithleach’s outscored Castlerea by 2-10 to 0-3 in the second half. Castlerea started with a couple of points but they faded out of contention after that. In the final ten minutes the home side got their second goal from Jack Murray and in the final few minutes Mikey Dunne scored a third as St Faithleach’s recorded a valuable win. Final score: St Faithleach’s 3-14 Castlerea St Kevin’s 1-9.
