The Seaside showdown!
Allianz National Football League Division One: Galway v Roscommon on Sunday in Pearse Stadium at 2 pm
Galway v Roscommon may be an age-old rivalry, but following the first round results of the new league season last weekend there is even more interest in this clash by the seaside on Sunday as Davy Burke’s side bid to continue their excellent start to the campaign.
Galway were probably unlucky to have only earned a point from their clash with Mayo on Saturday night and will be determined to not alone take the two points on offer here, but to lay down a marker for later in the season.
There are unlikely to be too many changes on the Roscommon team after Sunday’s heroics. Young guns like Ben O’Carroll, Daire Cregg, Robbie Dolan and Conor Carroll certainly deserve another chance to start.
It wasn’t all roses against Tyrone. The opening half display was very tentative and Roscommon struggled at midfield for long periods, so there may be a change in that sector. The biggest plus from last Sunday is evidence that the manager and his selectors are building a strong panel. To have players of the calibre of Enda and Donie Smith, Ciaráin Murtagh, Richard Hughes and Davy Murray being introduced from the bench is a huge boost.
Sean Kelly, Dylan McHugh and John Daly in the Galway defence all impressed against Mayo. Paul Conroy and Cillian McDaid are a very competent midfield duo, with the talented Peter Cooke waiting in the wings to come on.
Up front, Matthew Tierney will most likely lead the line with Damien Comer at full-forward. However, Galway will again be without talisman Shane Walsh and it is likely that the talented Rob Finnerty will be out with an ankle injury sustained in Castlebar.
People Sport were in the minority who correctly predicted a Roscommon win last Sunday but there isn’t as much confidence in a similar result this weekend. Roscommon fans will be looking for another hard-working display in Salthill and this looks certain to be a close-fought game.
Galway are playing some great football at the moment while Roscommon tails are up after last Sunday’s great win and the pressure is off to a certain extent. Another good result for Davy Burke’s men cannot be ruled out, but a Galway win by a couple of points is more likely.
Prediction: Galway.
