Roscommon minors

The Roscommon minor football team may have been very disappointed with their defeat to Mayo in last Sunday's Connacht final replay- but the fact that their ESB All-Ireland quarter-final against Kerry will take place in Croke Park next Monday (12 noon) will surely give them a major lift. The match will act as the curtain-raiser to the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final showdown between Dublin and Kerry (throw-in: 2pm). Back in 2006, Roscommon famously defeated Kerry in the All-Ireland minor final after a replay in Ennis. The sides had played out a thrilling draw in Croke Park in the first instalment of the decider. Interestingly, Tommy Walsh was outstanding at midfield for Kerry in the drawn final, and he will surely be in action for the Kerry seniors on Sunday in the mouth-watering clash with Leinster champions Dublin. The Roscommon minors failed to play to their true potential in last Sunday's replay as Meath retained their Connacht minor crown with a 1-8 to 0-5 victory. However, their championship campaign is not yet over as defeated provincial finalists also take part in the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Kerry defeated Tipperary in this year's Munster final on a scoreline of 0-12 to 0-6, and they will be fancied by most observers to progress to the All-Ireland semi-finals. Jack Sherwood was Kerry's chief marksman in the Munster final with 0-4 from play, while Eanna O'Connor (son of senior Kerry manager, Jack O'Connor) slotted over 0-3 from placed balls. Newly crowned Connacht minor champions Mayo will take on Tipperary in Tullamore on Monday at 3pm. The other two MFC quarter-finals will take place on Saturday in Kingspan Breffni Park, with Armagh facing Kildare (2pm), and Dublin taking on Down (4pm).