Roscommon make four changes for Cavan clash

Roscommon manager Davy Burke has made four changes to his side for the All-Ireland SFC meeting with Cavan in Longford tomorrow evening (Saturday).

St Brigid's duo Ruaidhrí Fallon and Shane Cunnane have been drafted into the team, along with Clann na nGael's Ultan Harney and Dylan Ruane of Michael Glavey's.

This quartet replaces Niall Daly, Tadhg O'Rourke, Conor Hand and Ciarán Lennon, all of whom are named on the bench.

2023 All-Star Enda Smith is selected at midfield despite sustaining an injury in Roscommon's defeat to Mayo in their last outing.

But St Brigid's attacker Ben O'Carroll is not included in Roscommon's match-day panel of 26 (see list below) as he misses out due to injury.

From Cavan's point of view, the continuing absence through injury of key forward Paddy Lynch, their joint highest scorer in this year's championship, is a significant blow.

The winner of Saturday's Group 2 game at Glennon Brothers Pearses Park (throw-in 5pm) will advance to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals.

If it finishes in a draw, Roscommon will progress as they have a superior scoring difference (-14) as opposed to Cavan’s -28.

Roscommon are seeking their first win in a competitive gamer since beating Monaghan in Round 4 of the Allianz Football League last February.

Cavan’s only victory in their last seven games was against Monaghan in the Ulster preliminary round. They have since lost to Tyrone (after extra-time), Mayo and Dublin.

It’s nine years since Cavan and Roscommon last met in the championship, with the Rossies winning an All-Ireland qualifier by ten points in 2015 (3-17 to 0-16).

Roscommon team (vs Cavan): Conor Carroll; Niall Higgins, Brian Stack (captain), Robbie Dolan; David Murray, Ruaidhrí Fallon, Eoin McCormack; Enda Smith, Ultan Harney; Dylan Ruane, Diarmuid Murtagh, Shane Cunnane; Daire Cregg, Conor Cox, Donie Smith. Subs: Colm Lavin, Niall Daly, Patrick Gavin, Ronan Daly, Keith Doyle, Andrew Glennon, Conor Hand, Adam McDermott, Tadhg O'Rourke, Conorn Hussey. Ciarán Lennon.

Championship story so far

ROSCOMMON - Mayo 1-15 Roscommon 0-13 (Connacht semi-final). Dublin 2-19 Roscommon 0-13 (All-Ireland round robin). Mayo 2-14 Roscommon 1-15 (All-Ireland round robin).

CAVAN - Cavan 3-12 Monaghan 1-12 (Ulster preliminary round). Tyrone 1-23 Cavan 3-16 (aet, Ulster quarter-final). Mayo 0-20 Cavan 1-8 (All-Ireland round robin). Dublin 5-17 Cavan 0-15 (All-Ireland round robin).