Liam Kearns’ first championship campaign as Clann na Gael manager ended in a one-point semi-final defeat at the hands of Padraig Pearses in 2020.

The former Tipperary manager’s charges gained a small measure of revenge in the group stages of this year’s Roscommon SFC but the two clubs will renew their rivalry in Dr Hyde Park tomorrow with the Fahey Cup up for graps (2pm).

“A lot has changed with us since that game last year,” Limerick-based Kearns pointed out in an interview with GAA.ie ahead of the Roscommon showpiece.

“We would have eight changes in personnel since then. We lost Donie Shine and Cathal Shine, two generational players really. Donie was such a heavy scorer for many years and Cathal was one of the best midfielders you could come across.

“We basically have two backs that started last year, a new midfield and three of the forwards that started last year. The rest would be new and then a few lads who are available again this year, like Jack Connaughton and Darragh Pettit.

“Our goalie, Ronan O'Reilly and our midfielder Graham Pettit would be in the 30 bracket but the rest of the lads are 25, 26 or under. So there's a good age profile there and they've done really well to get to a county final in a period of transition.

“When you lose a player like Donie to retirement before the season has even started, and Cathal then during the season, they're big blows but it's a huge endorsement of the underage structures in the club that they've got the depth to allow them to regroup and get to a final.”

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