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Roscommon GAA thread

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "You wouldn't want to be confusing the goals Armagh coughed up to Rob Finnerty and Enda Smith in their opening NFL games with an 'ability to get goals at the right time'. More a case of Armagh's ability to self-destruct in those moments."
As were the two goals Galway handed to Kerry on Saturday evening. Self-destruction writ large on both of those. Plenty soft goals being scored this time of year, many from ropey kickouts into a strong wind. Donegal got away with a few yesterday, as did Dublin against Monaghan and Cavan against Tyrone. Derry let in a howler against Kildare. Galway had at least half a dozen very good goal chances against Mayo too, only taking two of them.
We've shown an ability to create goal chances, as have Roscommon. It's risk reward in terms of pressuring kickouts and the team in possession. Plenty risk playing football in these conditions.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2725 - 16/02/2026 13:26:12    2656784

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "You wouldn't want to be confusing the goals Armagh coughed up to Rob Finnerty and Enda Smith in their opening NFL games with an 'ability to get goals at the right time'. More a case of Armagh's ability to self-destruct in those moments."
They were both Armagh goalkeeping errors. Ability to get goals at the right time, Tierney v Armagh wouldn't have won the game without it and Carey yesterday after the great piece of skill by Duggan.

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 687 - 16/02/2026 13:34:25    2656789

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Attacking has never been our problem

Also anybody else think Senan Lamb's goal should have stood? Seemed to have taken a deflection of the Armagh player?

GerBo (Roscommon) - Posts: 91 - 16/02/2026 12:56:22
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Unfortunately in many important big league or championship games attack and our wasteful shooting has proved very costly.

You aren't the only one that thinks it , the Senan Lambe fisted effort took a clear deflection off Armagh player and a goal should have been awarded. We would be 3-15 to 0-9 ahead at that stage.

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4271 - 16/02/2026 15:51:37    2656827

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Very happy so far and Mark Dowd is doing a good job. Midfield continues to be a problem for Roscommon. We were wiped there in the second half yesterday. What's Roscommon 's best midfield partnership. Have we any natural midfielder coming through from underage. Roscommon had some great midfielders down the years. Our last semi final in Croke park in 1991 had Newton and Killoran. Neighbouring parish men and two fine natural midfielders.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2607 - 16/02/2026 18:53:13    2656871

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Replying To endgame:  "Very happy so far and Mark Dowd is doing a good job. Midfield continues to be a problem for Roscommon. We were wiped there in the second half yesterday. What's Roscommon 's best midfield partnership. Have we any natural midfielder coming through from underage. Roscommon had some great midfielders down the years. Our last semi final in Croke park in 1991 had Newton and Killoran. Neighbouring parish men and two fine natural midfielders."
Did John Newton play mich club football in Ros?

moros (Roscommon) - Posts: 1266 - 16/02/2026 20:10:59    2656889

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Replying To endgame:  "Very happy so far and Mark Dowd is doing a good job. Midfield continues to be a problem for Roscommon. We were wiped there in the second half yesterday. What's Roscommon 's best midfield partnership. Have we any natural midfielder coming through from underage. Roscommon had some great midfielders down the years. Our last semi final in Croke park in 1991 had Newton and Killoran. Neighbouring parish men and two fine natural midfielders."
And pretty much wiped Armagh out 1st half to lead by 12 points and score 2-14

Best partnership is probably the two that started yesterday. The two stand out Midfielders on Roscommon successful U20 teams, you need a lot more patience with a new partnership. Also worth to note midfield is more than just the Midfielders. Breaking ball is key and that responsibility falls to each and every player in the middle 8.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3840 - 16/02/2026 21:32:57    2656909

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Replying To moros:  "Did John Newton play mich club football in Ros?"
Played for Garda mainly I think but his home parish club would have been Shannon Gaels.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2607 - 17/02/2026 02:00:02    2656931

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Replying To endgame:  "Played for Garda mainly I think but his home parish club would have been Shannon Gaels."
Native of Shannon Gaels territory.
His oul man was a legend there.
Ended up at Leixlip in Kildare.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 370 - 17/02/2026 09:42:54    2656948

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Very impressed by the 1st half performance at the weekend. We punished Armagh when we got the chance and players stood up to the challenge. I thought the tackling and pressure on the Armagh defenders in the opening 20 minutes was fantastic, something Armagh have done to other teams in the past. The only negative was our kickouts in the 2nd half but that is something that can be easily rectified.

Armagh pegged back the score and put us under some small pressure towards the end but its hard to maintain that level of scoring throughout an entire game. The breach was as clear as day and we settled after that. Thought Duggan and Neary did well when they came on.

Yet again, Diarmuid, Enda & Daire Cregg were exceptional. Great to see the three of them in flying form. The Heneghans had good games while Ruane and McCormack showed how important they are to our set up.

Dowd has some selection headaches coming up but that's whats needed for us to win another Connaught title and push on in the All -Ireland series. A strong bench is key and when the Brigits lads are back in the fold, the players from the opening 3 games will feel they've done enough to challenge in every position.

Huge game Saturday night but nothing to fear against Galway.

Rossfan93 (Roscommon) - Posts: 95 - 17/02/2026 10:47:50    2656968

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Replying To Gaa_lover:  "And pretty much wiped Armagh out 1st half to lead by 12 points and score 2-14

Best partnership is probably the two that started yesterday. The two stand out Midfielders on Roscommon successful U20 teams, you need a lot more patience with a new partnership. Also worth to note midfield is more than just the Midfielders. Breaking ball is key and that responsibility falls to each and every player in the middle 8."
The game has changed and midfield has changed but I still think it's a problem area for Roscommon.Ros Forwards are going very well and we have a number of pacey defenders. It'll be interesting to see Dowd's first championship game starting 15.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2607 - 17/02/2026 20:26:24    2657048

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Replying To endgame:  "The game has changed and midfield has changed but I still think it's a problem area for Roscommon.Ros Forwards are going very well and we have a number of pacey defenders. It'll be interesting to see Dowd's first championship game starting 15."
Look back on the 3-18 scored last Sunday, the majority of those scores came from good work on kickouts and a few scores came directly from Armagh kickouts.

2nd half Armagh chasing the game naturally pushed up and attacked each and every kick out, Roscommon while loads of bodies they appeared to be stuck in a zonal formation and Aaron Brady was directed to land and handful of his restarts to the sideline where I believe at least two was given as sideline balls to Armagh when should have gone the other way.

Problem area for Roscommon over the years has been defensively it's why so many previous managers has taken a more cautious approach when attacking. Yes under the new rules the best form of defense is to attack and play front football however defence will still win championships and forwards will win games, on the latter Shooting efficiency in games or even within games hasn't been consistent good enough in the past either. If Roscommon are as good on their shooting in their remaining games this year as they were last Sunday then Roscommon will win more games than they'll lose so it's all about finding that much needed consistent level regardless of what starting 15 is selected come championship time.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3840 - 18/02/2026 13:52:54    2657132

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Will it be Aaron Brady or Conor Carroll in goals come championship time. Elphin has a great tradition of goalkeepers for the county team. I wonder how many Brigid's players are definites to get in to the championship starting 15. Brian Stack and Ben O'Carroll. Maybe Ruairi Fallon and Conor Hand. Great that Mark Dowd has options. It's where any Manager wants to be. If Roscommon can guarantee safety in division 1, then eyes can turn to the championship. We haven't won Connacht since 2019. Galway are going for 5 Connachts in a row. Interesting year ahead.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2607 - 18/02/2026 19:11:14    2657208

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Replying To endgame:  "Will it be Aaron Brady or Conor Carroll in goals come championship time. Elphin has a great tradition of goalkeepers for the county team. I wonder how many Brigid's players are definites to get in to the championship starting 15. Brian Stack and Ben O'Carroll. Maybe Ruairi Fallon and Conor Hand. Great that Mark Dowd has options. It's where any Manager wants to be. If Roscommon can guarantee safety in division 1, then eyes can turn to the championship. We haven't won Connacht since 2019. Galway are going for 5 Connachts in a row. Interesting year ahead."
Steady now.

moros (Roscommon) - Posts: 1266 - 18/02/2026 20:42:47    2657217

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Replying To endgame:  "Will it be Aaron Brady or Conor Carroll in goals come championship time. Elphin has a great tradition of goalkeepers for the county team. I wonder how many Brigid's players are definites to get in to the championship starting 15. Brian Stack and Ben O'Carroll. Maybe Ruairi Fallon and Conor Hand. Great that Mark Dowd has options. It's where any Manager wants to be. If Roscommon can guarantee safety in division 1, then eyes can turn to the championship. We haven't won Connacht since 2019. Galway are going for 5 Connachts in a row. Interesting year ahead."
I think Stack, Fallon and Hand are the only definites. If Ben gets back to the form we know he can then he has to play but not on current form.

RossieFan1980 (Roscommon) - Posts: 7 - 18/02/2026 20:45:48    2657220

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Replying To RossieFan1980:  "I think Stack, Fallon and Hand are the only definites. If Ben gets back to the form we know he can then he has to play but not on current form."
Stack and Fallon would be certainties for me. Hand too if he keeps up the form he showed for Brigid's. He has a turn of pace and balance that can't be taught. His decision making in the games I saw was excellent. If he uses his attributes properly he could be a nightmare for teams to handle on better pitches later in the year.
O'Carroll at his best is incredibly difficult to hold. Even for Brigid's he was very elusive when he got the ball. His kicking and some of his decision making let him down for sure. If he can tidy that up and get his confidence back, he'll a huge asset.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2725 - 18/02/2026 23:06:03    2657233

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Replying To RossieFan1980:  "I think Stack, Fallon and Hand are the only definites. If Ben gets back to the form we know he can then he has to play but not on current form."
Fully agree with that. Those 3 start from Brigids but I hope Brady retains his place as no.1 keeper. He's been excellent so far imo and he looks a better keeper all round. His kickouts are good, he's excellent under the high ball and even claimed a ball that Carroll would probably have tipped over against Armagh. He also nailed a 45 against the very strong breeze that I think Carroll wouldn't have had the range for. Hard to know if Ben will start for Roscommon come championship. His confidence is probably not great after the club final but i think he has so much to be positive about. The only thing causing him problems is his shooting. I think his ball winning ability is as good as any top forward in the country. Let him do that and release to another player in a better position if hes outside the 21 yard line. Or if hes close to goal he's more than capable of getting a goal. Just tell him not to be going for long range efforts. Great to see so much competition for places and hopefully morale keeps getting better and confidence levels keep getting higher. Loads to be positive about. Roll on Galway in Saturday night. What a shame there is no live coverage of the game. The Gaa really do shoot themselves in the foot when it comes to promoting our brilliant game. Ros Comáin abú

ComainRos (Roscommon) - Posts: 169 - 19/02/2026 00:08:54    2657236

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Replying To RossieFan1980:  "I think Stack, Fallon and Hand are the only definites. If Ben gets back to the form we know he can then he has to play but not on current form."
The only thing is where do you fit hand in this team? Dowd won't drop his vice captain ruanne and rightly so. He's been very good so far. Enda and darragh henaghan aren't getting dropped either. Two positions open are corner forward and wing back

dave1988 (Roscommon) - Posts: 1364 - 19/02/2026 11:21:22    2657286

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Much too early to be trying to pick a championship team in Roscommon.

The great thing is that the management team have a great range of options in nearly every position and I do not envy their job in picking a panel of 26 for each game, and deciding on the starters and the finishers which are equally important. If you had three Rossies having a pint in a pub at the moment you would be nearly guaranteed that they would each pick a different lineup for each line of the team.

Taking the half forward line for example, one suggestion would be to have three speeders such as Darragh Heneghan, Enda Smith and Conor Hand. But Dylan Ruane has probably been Roscommon's standout player this year, does a mountain of hard graft and deserves retaining his position. If we move Darragh Heneghan into corner forward for example, how would his two brothers feel. Try picking a full forward line then from Darragh Heneghan, Robert Heneghan, Cathal Heneghan, Daire Cregg, Diarmuid Murtagh, Ben O' Carroll, Eoin Colleran, Jack Tumulty, Paul Carey, Conor Cox, Ciaran Lennon, Bobby Nugent etc. (No doubt I have forgot somebody)

The half back line of Ronan Daly, Eoin Ward and Senan Lambe have also done very well. But should they all be dropped for a championship line of say Ruidhdri Fallon, Brian Stack and Colm Neary? Others such as Richard Hughes, Eoin McCormack and Oisin Cregg for example are also pushing hard for inclusion in the half back line.

The same logic applies for the goal keepers and the full back line with very strong contenders for each position. What a headache for the management team to have at the moment.

At midfield Keith Doyle and Conor Ryan and done reasonably well so far in the league. But Shane Cunnane has played his best football ever for St. Brigid's this year kicking five points from midfield in the All Ireland club final. Will Ultan Harney be an option if he gets himself fully fit which is required for the new running game. Jack Duggan has played very well when he has come into midfield when going forward, but has not been pulling too many balls out of the sky. Should Enda be moved back? Would the very fit and tenacious Ruidhri Fallon be an midfield option seen that we have alternative options at half back. Should we think outside-the-box and every consider Brian Stack for midfield. Remember his wonderful catch against Scotstown and his ability to tackle and drive forward at pace. I don't have the answers myself and certainly would not attempt to pick a championship team at this time.

We also now have Jason Sherlock as our forwards coach and he will obviously have learned a lot form his time with Jim Galvin and Dublin. Dublin won several All Irelands with having great speedy and athletics finishers to come on with 15 or 20 minutes to go in a game. Michael Darragh Macauley, Kevin McMenamin and Cormac Costello spring to mind. Will Jason and the management team place a similar emphasis on speedy finishers as well as starters when picking the 26?

The great thing for Roscommon supporters is that we now have three wise men (Mark Down, John Rogers, Ian Daly) picking the 26 starters and finishers. They all know Roscommon football inside out and have been involved with many of the players since underage. They know all their possible football strengths and possible weaknesses/limitations but also their various personalities and character which is very important. They also know if they are team players and if they will go into the trenches when the going gets tough.

While I might personal ideas about panel/team selection; Mark, John, Ian and Jason see the guys every night at training, know all the panel very members very well and are the right men to pick the team. Time to fully support the management team and players in Pearse Stadium this Saturday. I have the hotel booked and really looking forward to the game.

letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 847 - 19/02/2026 15:05:01    2657330

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Replying To dave1988:  "The only thing is where do you fit hand in this team? Dowd won't drop his vice captain ruanne and rightly so. He's been very good so far. Enda and darragh henaghan aren't getting dropped either. Two positions open are corner forward and wing back"
I'd imagine if they are impressing in training he'll put them in a match day 26, then bring them on if required .
Fallon for Ward maybe and Hand for Darragh H.
Then if they impress they'll be in with a shout for the starting 15.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 370 - 19/02/2026 15:07:40    2657331

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For me we have to find a way to get Conor Hand into this team. The thoughts of him and Darragh Heneghan as our wing forwards would frighten every half back line in the country, just a serious amount of pace there.

But as another poster outlined and I agreed Dylan Ruane is undropable atm. He's been excellent so far and IMO was wrongly taken off vs Kerry (a conversion for another day). You could play Ruane at wing back, but Senan Lambe has been brilliant so far and that's also a position I would play Colm Neary. Another player I feel we need to get into the starting 15. Thought he had a fine game when introduced last Sunday.

Brady remains number 1 for me. Minus the goal in Killarney (just felt you need your keeper to be dealing with those high balls in around the square), hasn't put a foot wrong

But hey isn't it great to de debating who we'd like to see come in and further strengthen a team in form.

GerBo (Roscommon) - Posts: 92 - 19/02/2026 15:28:33    2657336

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