Pearses deserve favourites’ tag but must be wary of Gaels

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Before winning their first ever senior championship in 2019, Pearses were trying to bounce back from three final defeats in five years. Now they’re aiming for a third triumph in six years.

Up against them in Sunday’s final (Dr Hyde Park, 2pm) is Roscommon Gaels whom they edged out in that 2019 decider and now they are the team aiming to end a drought after 20 years without a championship title.

Both these clubs are in uncharted territory. Since winning the first title, the Gaels have never known this long a wait for the Fahey Cup and Pearses have never known this level of success or favouritism. Who will embrace the underdog or favourite tag better in Dr Hyde Park on Sunday?

When any team beats the All-Ireland finalists on their way to a county final, people are likely to feel they must have been showing impressive form in general. Yet this is not really the case with the Moore/Taughmaconnell side.

Pearses are entitled to be favourites after knocking out St Brigid’s in their quarter-final, but otherwise they haven’t shown outstanding form coming into this final. Their average scoring is consistent and quite low and they lost to Clann na nGael in the group stages, beat St Dominic’s unconvincingly, scoring just 1-12 against the Knockcroghery based side. In the semi-final against a very disappointing St Faithleach’s side, they scored just 1-9, of which 1-3 was from play. None of this is frightening form.

But Pearses are a very experienced side, with a number of their players having played in several county finals. They get plenty of players behind the ball when defending, often playing with a number of sweepers, and they are hard to break down. They will want the game to be low scoring, close and attritional as that would suit their players.

Roscommon Gaels have struggled to win games on their route to the final, none more so than their semi-final against Michael Glaveys. The Ballinlough side appeared to have the game won, leading by four points in added on time, but the Gaels showed character, drawing the game and winning it in extra-time.

They played last year’s finalists Boyle in their quarter-final and they saw off the Sligo border side in what was their best performance of the year. Roscommon Gaels are rightly underdogs on Sunday, but they have knocked Pearses out of the championship twice in recent years, 2018 and 2022. They have reached the O’Rourke Cup final (Division 1 league) for the last three years running (winning the league title in 2023). They have tradition, they are full of players that have won underage championships and they are not to be underrated.

For Pearses, Declan Kenny has been a revelation this year, generally playing at wing-back and enjoying the freedom of the pitch. He has chipped in with crucial match-winning scores. Kenny’s contribution will be crucial to Pearses on Sunday. Will Roscommon Gaels manager Mark Dowd designate a marker/tracker for Kenny? The Strokestown native is an experienced manager and he could have a few tricks up his sleeve.

Pearses will rely heavily on the vastly experienced Niall Carty and the Daly brothers (Niall, Conor and Ronan Daly). If they all produce strong performances, Pearses should fulfil their favouritism. Interestingly. Carty will contest his 10th senior county final on Sunday and an 11th adult county final (there were two replays) including the intermediate final of 2011.

The Gaels will need everyone on fire next Sunday. The Lambes are playing leading roles and John McManus at the back will surely be given a key marking role; he’s likely to pick up Pearses marksman Paul Carey. Peter Gillooly will need to be on his game and the contributions both Cian Connolly and Scott Oates will be crucial. Roscommon defender Davy Murray is likely to be the Pearses player chosen to pick up Gillooly.

Pearses are undoubtedly the best in the county at playing the defensive minded game. Roscommon Gaels' best hope would be to continuously push up on Pearses kickouts, force Paul Whelan to go long and try to force turnovers from anything kicked short. The Roscommon town side need to be brave in their approach rather than having regrets over not getting it a proper go. But Pearses have to be the favourites.

Verdict: Padraig Pearses.