Replying To blackpuddin: "So guys, whats the thoughts for 2027? is there any players that could break into the team? What about Darren Cox, would he make this team, he has the skill but hopefully he has been doing thje strenght work while been off the pitch all year. What is the story with Keith Beirne, a couple of shrewd Mohillians have said there are whispers of his return to Mohill, it appears the off pitch issues seem to be abeiting. Anyway, we still need a couple more marque players to assist Barry and maybe take the target off his back!"
He would, we have strong forwards but definitely be place for him, he's an exciting player to watch and could make a great impact if he can just stay for for a season. Dunno about Keith beirne, my shrew sources tell me otherwise
Replying To 3rdmidfielder: "Strong team. If we got Pearse Dolan back you could play Barry center half forward. Id find a place for Mark Diffley but maybe not a 6. Either Mcnamara, Harkin, oberwan will do a job at 4. Oisin Mcloughlin has nailed down his spot he was superb last few months. Any defenders from the u20's to come in?"
It's Donal Casey at 6 If he is fit . McNamara , harkin, oberwan are all better than eoin McLoughlin I'd have oberwan at 4 with McNamara at 5 . Oisin mcloughlin starts over cox or Riordan o rourke . We could have daragh Rooney , jack foley and radek oberwan in the fold next year hard to predict a team when u don't know who'll be available. Oran foley and ronan fox 2 good defenders from u20
Gaffey C Reynolds Clancy Harkin E McLoughlin Diffley Keegan Dolan* Quinn Paul K Barry Tom Paul H Darragh* Ryan
Kerr Arek Radek* McNamara Fergal McL Oisín McL G Reynolds Guckian McKiernan Riordan Darren
That's a strong 26 with only *3 additions who weren't involved in some capacity this year and assuming clean bill of health & nobody stepping away.
Eoin McLoughlin improved as the year went on and significantly on last year. That half back line was the most consistent and arguably best line of the field for us this year. Poacher is loyal to players and he won't be shifted easily.
Pearce Dolan is back for '27, he's an automatic starter, and Darragh Rooney too if he decides to go back in.
If it's a thing that Mark Plunkett was also returning I think I'd put him at #6 and Diffley at #3 and then we are in a very good place with our midfield diamond.
Any of this years U20's capable of adding to the set are already there in the shape of Colm McL, Eanna, Kelly. Ronan Fox is very much an attacking wing back. We are lacking in man marking shutdown defenders in the mould of Conor Reynolds, and defenders in general.
In fact there's some U20 forwards of real quality who weren't involved with the U20 panel this year in the form of Jamie Plunkett and Brian Keaney who could be very good.
Scott Kerr is an excellent keeper with a cannon of a boot, him and Gaffey have the makings of an excellent and hopefully stable GK tandem for the next decade, and possibly the best since the era of Phelan/Lyons/McCrann.
Then there's players who have been involved but who have had fitness issues on and off such as Adam Reynolds, Jack Heslin, who would also add to it.
Definitely the makings of a 36 man panel who can get promoted, and enough to have another fifteen 20-25 year olds tipping along in an extended panel for conditioning, development etc.
Leitrim u15s had a hard fought win over Longford this morning u16s playing kildare and are already secured of a place in the semi final i believe so good signs all around
Replying To gaelsboy: "He would, we have strong forwards but definitely be place for him, he's an exciting player to watch and could make a great impact if he can just stay for for a season. Dunno about Keith beirne, my shrew sources tell me otherwise"
Any predictions for the league this evening please everyone? We need to focus on the club scene immediately and see can we find any gems there coz to be honest folks we are not that far off. As I previously intimated here earlier this week, please check back at your convenience so millions Connacht football is at an extremely low ebb so we could win the thing. Our champions were beaten off the field this evening in clones thank you so much. I genuinely thought they would win as it was eminently winnable but the ease with which they were brushed aside by not even near the best team in Ulster indicates that the standard in Connacht is pathetic. Thank you all for agreeing with this.
Disappointing end for Roscommon. Goes to show you the levels. Roscommon not at those levels but are a young team bar a few and have talent coming but we've heard that before. Onto next year and an FBD clash in Elphin. I'll have the tay will ye boys bring the biccies. Love to all.