County senior hurlers ready for Rackard tilt

Can Roscommon add to the titles won in 2007 and 2015?
County senior hurlers ready for Rackard tilt

FOCUSSED: Roscommon senior hurlers Darragh Finn, James Dillon and Dan Staunton at training in Athlone ahead of Saturday's Nickey Rackard Cup final against Mayo in Croke Park. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin

In less than a week’s time, exam centres all over the country will resemble a sweat room as students sit their Leaving and Junior Certs.

Before that, Croke Park will be a sauna for the lesser lights of hurling with three championship titles on the line this weekend.

For the first time in a Nicky Rackard Cup final, Roscommon will play a team outside of Ulster after previous tussles with Armagh (twice), Donegal and Tyrone. On Saturday, the Primrose and Blue will have Connacht rivals Mayo for company on the hallowed turf.

The opening rounds of the competition resembled a game of scrabble. Kevin Sammon’s side struggled to put words together with only one point after two games.

Since then, Roscommon have moved on to solving the jigsaw puzzle. They are unbeaten in four games after three wins on the bounce.

Roscommon produced their best display with a 4-17 to 0-20 win over Louth in the final round of group games, which suggests that the Primrose and Blue have finetuned their engine in time for a serious crack at winning the championship for a third time after previous victories in 2007 and 2015.

Unlike their football counterparts, Roscommon’s defence has been settled and solid all year. Conor Cosgrove has been the rock at centre-back. A mobile midfield has been accompanied by a forward unit that, until recently, was struggling to play with cohesion and craft.

Against Louth, Seán Canning blasted three goals. Alongside the reliable Brendan Mulry, Cian Murray, Robbie Fallon and Conor Mulry, the forward unit finally looked in sync with each other.

Mayo have been firm favourites to win the Nickey Rackard Cup from the opening bell. Last season’s beaten finalists have already claimed Division 3A League glory.

The Green and Red beat London in the league decider. Later on Saturday, the Exiles play Derry in the Christy Ring Cup final, which makes Mayo’s success over London all the more credible.

From a long way out, Mayo had their bags packed for Saturday. Over the past few games, they have been able to give their panel lots of game time.

But it has been a while since Mayo had a tough, competitive game while Roscommon had to keep winning matches to reach the final. While the performances weren’t top notch, Roscommon did the business and that is bound to inject confidence ahead of Saturday’s lunch-time decider.

The sides clashed on the opening weekend of the championship, with Mayo claiming a seven-point win. Mayo’s form is better but a final is a once-off game, and all the pressure is on the hot favourites.

Mayo have the “Fab Four” in their locker. Shane Boland, Eoin Delaney, Liam Lavin and Cormac Philips have bagged 3-80 between them. In the wide open spaces of Croke Park, they could wreak havoc. Roscommon defence against a rampant Mayo attack will decide this final.

Against Louth, goalkeeper Enda Lawless came off injured and he is one player Roscommon need between the sticks. The talented netminder has only conceded one goal in five games, and that was against Mayo in the opening round. Lawless brings a presence to the Roscommon defence and his ability to keep clean sheets is the main reason his team are in the final.

If Roscommon keep another clean sheet and score well into the mid-20s, they have a chance. But Mayo look the better bet.

Verdict Mayo

Ladies’ footballers can pick up the pieces

After suffering relegation back to Division Three, the Roscommon intermediate ladies’ footballers have the opportunity to pick up the pieces in the championship where they have Laois and Fermanagh for company.

Finbar Egan’s side must aim to top the group, which will give them a quarter-final at home.

Laois operated in Division Three, finishing in the bottom half of the table alongside losing the recent Leinster IFC final to Westmeath by 1-12 to 0-9.

Fermanagh, after a successful run in Division Four, gained promotion with Antrim, so the Erneside ladies have developed confidence from winning games.

Roscommon commence their intermediate championship journey on Sunday with a trip to Laois, which will be followed by a home game with Fermanagh two weeks later. Both of Roscommon opponents have had the luxury of a provincial championship campaign, while Roscommon have been lying idle since relegation from Division Two.

If the Primrose and Blue ladies can nick a win on Sunday, then everything will be on the table when Fermanagh come to town in mid-June.

Tuesday Teaser

In a week that saw the shorts v skorts controversy resolved, my Tuesday Teaser players had no problem with their dress code.

Can you name the son of a former Galway footballer who won a National Football League medal and Leinster SFC title with Longford? The answer was Jimmy Hannify.

QPR, Frenchpark, was first to be dressed for success. Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Fr John McManus, PP Castlerea; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Seán Farrell, Dublin; Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Jim Gill, Newtownforbes; Gerry Gacquin, Athleague; Martin Walshe, Carrowbehy; Pat O’Connor, Castlerea; Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Brian Stenson, Castlerea; Paddy Conlon, Taughmaconnell; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; Pat, Sligo; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; Michael Finneran, London; Mary McCarthy, Holloway; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford; Seán Heston, Toolan, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, were also kitted out correctly.

This week’s Teaser. Can you name the only manager to beat Jim McGuinness twice in championship football? Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser came from London.

Weekend watch

Star pupil: Daire Keenan who scored a hat-trick during St. John’s 5-0 win over Glen Celtic in the RDFL Challenge Cup final.

Crucial win for: Monaghan over Louth, which has the Farney men on course to top the group.

Much do better: the Cork senior footballers have flattered to deceive once more following a flat performance against Meath.

Spot of bother: After playing one game, New York are in the Lory Meagher Cup hurling final. Monaghan, after playing six games, are out.

Weekend highlight: Like a spider to a web, I got sucked into watching the Scottish Cup final. I wasn’t disappointed as outsiders Aberdeen beat Celtic on penalties after a thrilling decider.

What a cracker: After three trips on the road, Dublin are back in Croke Park for the first time this season with All-Ireland holders Armagh waiting in the wings.

Hegarty’s motivational quote

“There is nothing you can do to change the past. But there is time today to make changes for your future. Focus on the things that make you happy, and you will always look forward to your tomorrows.”

Did you know?

Roscommon and Mayo are appearing in their fifth Nickey Rackard Cup final on Saturday. Both counties have two wins and two defeats from their four previous deciders.

Finally for this week

A huge win for Sunderland who are back in the Premier League after beating Sheffield United in what is always described as the “richest game in the world” — the Championship Play-Off final at Wembley Stadium.

More in this section