Roscommon’s senior footballers didn’t fare too well against a rejuvenated Tyrone outfit in GAA headquarters last Saturday but such was the performance of the minor side in the curtain raiser that the large primrose and blue following still left with smiles on their faces. This is no ordinary minor team, and whether or not they go on to emulate the heroics of the 2006 side remains to be seen but one thing is for sure - the future of Roscommon football is secure if they can continue to churn out footballers of this quality.
In a game that ebbed and flowed, it took a late long-range free from the boot of Thomas Corcoran to bring the game to extra time. The northerners began to impose themselves in the opening period of extra time building a three point lead. Donie Smith brought it back to two before the break.
With true grit and determination the young Rossies clawed their way back to level terms through Fintan Sweeney and Kevin Finn. With two minutes remaining Corcoran again nailed a long-range match-winning free. Roscommon scored the last four points to win by a point which shows the self belief that exists in the panel.
On a day when there were many heroes, Padraig Pearse’s Conor Daly really shone at wing back. The Athlone Community College student was immense, kicking three wonderful points and setting up attack after attack. He is certainly one to watch out for in the future.
The win now sets up a semi-final meeting with Munster champions Tipperary. Highly rated Dublin will be expected to account for Galway in the other semi-final. If Ross Shannon’s men can reproduce this sort of performance then it will take a fair team to beat them.
