Curran to face old comrades in championship opener
NEW Padraig Pearses manager Shane Curran will face his old club-mates when the Roscommon Senior Football Championship begins in early May.
Pearses will face St Brigid’s, with whom Curran enjoyed prolonged success in his playing career, in the opening round of matches in Group 1, which also includes fellow south Roscommon side, Clann na nGael, now managed by former Dublin star Paul Curran. St Faithleach’s and Roscommon Gaels are the other teams in Group 1.
Boyle, Castlerea St Kevin’s, Elphin, Kilmore, Strokestown, and All-Ireland Intermediate Club finalists St Croan’s are in Group 2.
It’s the meeting, however, of Curran and his former colleagues that will generate the greatest interest when the senior championship starts on the weekend of May 9 and 10.
The Roscommon SFC has, as you can see, taken a leaf from the book of their Westmeath counterparts, by deciding to switch the qualifying stages to two groups of six teams.
However, there are some differences in the Roscommon format. Group 1 is considered to be the 'strong' group, and the top two in that go straight to the semi-finals, while third plays second in the 'weak' group and 4th plays the Group 2 winner. Relegation to the IFC is between 5th and 6th in the weak group.
The top two in the weak group go into the strong group next year, replacing 5th and 6th in the strong sector.
In the Roscommon Intermediate Championship, south Roscommon sides St Dominic’s and St Aidan’s have been drawn in Group 1 with Oran, St Michael’s, Fuerty and the beaten finalists of the last two years, Tulsk Lord Edwards. Group 2 consists of 2014 Junior champions Michael Glaveys, St Barry’s, Éire Og, Kilbride, St Ronan’s and Clann na nGael B.
Both the Senior and Intermediate Championships commence on the weekend of May 9 and 10, and will be followed a week later by the Junior ‘A’ Championship. Group 1 of the Junior ‘A’ features Shannon Gaels, Ballinameen, Creggs, Western Gaels B, Kilglass Gaels and Padraig Pearses B.
Group 2 includes Strokestown, Roscommon Gaels B, St Joseph’s, St Brigid’s B, St Dominic’s B and St Kevin’s B.
This year’s Junior B Championship commences on June 21 and has been bolstered by three teams dropping from Junior A level. Group 1 features Elphin B, Clann na nGael C, Michael Glaveys B, St Aidan’s B, St Croan’s B and St Michael’s B. Group Two consists of Boyle B, Oran B, Tulsk Lord Edwards B, St Faithleach’s B and Kilglass Gaels B, who receive a bye in Round 1.
The exact times, dates and venues for the games have yet to be finalised but full pairings for each round are published on www.gaaroscommon.ie
A new Junior ‘C’ Championship was proposed as part of the Football Review recommendations and details are currently being finalised.
ROSCOMMON GAA FIXTURES
Sunday, February 15
(2.30pm unless stated)
Adult Football League
Division 3: Kiltoom, St Brigid’s B v Pádraig Pearses B, 2pm; O’Rourke Park, Castlerea St Kevin’s B v Western Gaels B (2pm).
Division 4: Kilteevan, St Joseph’s v Oran B; Kilronan Park, St Ronan’s v Strokestown B; St Dominic’s, St Dominic’s B v Clann na nGael C; Orchard Park, Elphin B v Roscommon Gaels B.
Division 5: Peadar Earley Park, Michael Glaveys B v Kilglass Gaels B; Davonna Park, Ballinameen B v Fuerty B; Parc Naomh Bearraí, St Barry’s B v St Michael’s B; Ballyforan, St Aidan’s B v Boyle B.
Division 6: Ballyleague, St Faithleach’s B v Creggs B; Tulsk, Tulsk Lord Edwards B v Kilmore B.
MINOR BOARD RESULTS
Minor Football League
Division 1: St Dominic’s 2-12 Strokestown 1-4; St Brigid’s 1-15 Pádraig Pearses 0-15; Clann na nGael 0-14 St. Ciarans 1-11​.
Division 2: Oran 2-14 Roscommon Gaels 2-3; Tulsk Lord Edwards 6-12 St Faithleach’s 2-6.
Division 3: Boyle 3-13 St Ronan’s 1-9; Kilbride 3-19 Western Gaels 3-5; St Aidan’s 2-8 Castlerea St Kevin’s 3-3.
Division 4: St Croan’s 3-6 Eire Og 0-10.
MINOR BOARD FIXTURES
Sunday, February 15
(11am unless stated)
U16 Football League
Division 1: Lisnamult, Roscommon Gaels v Oran; Johnstown, Clann na nGael v Kilmore/Shannon Gaels; Kiltoom, St Brigid’s v Tulsk Lord Edwards.
Division 2: Knockcroghery, St Dominic’s v St Faithleach’s; Mulhern Park, St Ciaran’s v Strokestown; James Timothy Park, Éire ”g v Pádraig Pearses.
Division 3: Kilbride, Kilbride v St Aidan’s; O’Rourke Park, Castlerea St Kevin’s v Elphin; Enfield, St Croan’s v Western Gaels (3.45pm).
Division 4: Parc Naomh Bearraí, Kilglass Gaels/St Barry’s v Michael Glaveys; Ardcarne Park, St Michael’s v St Ronan’s; Abbey Park, Boyle v Clann na nGael B.