Kilbride returns as Rossies prepare for rematch with Galway

Senan Kilbride returns to the Roscommon team for this Sunday’s Connacht SFC final replay against Galway in Castlebar.

The St Brigid’s attacker, who was surprisingly omitted from the team for last Sunday’s drawn game, has been drafted into the starting XV in place of Enda Smith.

The introduction of Kilbride is the only personnel change in the team but there are a number of positional switches (see team line-up below). It was actually Smith who scored Roscommon’s goal in the 1-10 to 0-13 drawn game which was heavily criticised for the defensive football played by both sides. Admittedly, the miserably wet conditions had a detrimental effect on the game last weekend.

Kevin Higgins makes his return to the match day 26 and this is his first appearance on a Roscommon panel under joint managers Kevin McStay and Fergal O’Donnell. The Western Gaels player underwent surgery on a shoulder injury at Christmas. Clann na nGael trio Donie Shine, Ultan Harney and Fergal Lennon are also named among the subs.

Sunday’s Connacht final rematch will see Sean McDermott make his 154th appearance for Roscommon.

Throw-in at Elverys MacHale Park for the replay is at 3.30pm. While the match won’t be shown on RTE television, supporters can view it on the RTÉ Player and the RTÉ Sport website.

*See this week’s Westmeath Independent for a detailed report, pictures and reaction from last Sunday’s final, and the views of columnist Shane Curran.

Roscommon Team (Connacht SFC Final Replay)

1 Darren O’Malley (Michael Glavey's)
2 David Murray (Padraig Pearses)
3 Sean Mullooly (Strokestown)
4 Niall McInerney (St Brigid’s)
5 Sean McDermott (Western Gaels)
6 John McManus (Roscommon Gaels)
7 Sean Purcell (Boyle)
8 Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses)
9 Cathal Compton (Strokestown)
10 Fintan Cregg (Elphin)
11 Conor Devaney (Kilbride)
12 David Keenan (St Barry's)
13 Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)
14 Senan Kilbride (St Brigid’s)
15 Ciaran Murtagh C (St Faithleach’s)

Substitutes

16 Geoffrey Claffey (Castlerea St Kevin’s)
17 Cian Connolly (Roscommon Gaels)
18 Donie Shine (Clann na nGael)
19 Donie Smith (Boyle)
20 Enda Smith (Boyle)
21 Fergal Lennon (Clann na nGael)
22 Kevin Higgins (Western Gaels)
23 Niall Carty (Padraig Pearses)
24 Niall Kilroy (Fuerty)
25 Thomas Corcoran (Strokestown)
26 Ultan Harney (Clann na nGael)