Ros' U21 footballers and senior hurlers gear up for final tests
By Kieran Galvin
For the Roscommon GAA community, the main focus this weekend is the Cadbury's U21 FC final against Leitrim on Saturday (Carrick-on-Shannon, 2.30pm).
Having claimed a very impressive win over Mayo in the opening round, the Roscommon U21s then defeated Sligo in the semi-finals. However, Sligo pushed the Rossies much closer than many people had anticipated.
In the other semi-final, Leitrim caused a sensation by defeating All-Ireland champions Galway - undoubtedly one of the biggest shocks of the 2014 GAA season thus far.
Leitrim are bidding for their first Connacht U21 title since 1991. In contrast, Roscommon have been very successful at the grade in recent times, having won titles in 2010 and 2012.
In 2012, Roscommon went on to reach the All-Ireland final in which they were defeated by a star-studded Dublin outfit - the final scoreline in that decider (2-12 to 0-11) did scant justice to Roscommon's display on the day.
Roscommon were defeated by Galway in last year's Connacht U21 final, but they are strongly fancied to reclaim the provincial crown on Saturday.
See this week's Westmeath Independent for an interview with Roscommon U-21 manager Nigel Dineen, and the views of Shane Curran on the game.
The Roscommon senior hurlers are also preparing for a final this weekend. They take on Donegal in the Allianz Hurling League Division 3A decider on Sunday (Markievicz Park, 2pm).
The Roscommon senior footballers have a Connacht derby with Sligo in Division 3 of the Allianz FL on Sunday (Dr Hyde Park, 3pm). However, there is nothing tangible at stake in the fixture as Roscommon have already clinched promotion, while Sligo (with former Westmeath manager Pat Flanagan in charge) are now safe from any threat of relegation.
Elsewhere, the Roscommon minor footballers are in action in the Connacht Minor Football League against Galway on Saturday (Ballinasloe, 6pm).
See Roscommon GAA fixtures for this weekend below.
Roscommon GAA Diary
RESULTS
Football League Division 3: Castlerea St. Kevin’s B 2-9 St. Joseph’s 1-7.
Allianz FL Division 3: Cavan 0-14 Roscommon 1-8.
FIXTURES
Friday, April 4
Senior Hurling League
Lisnamult: Roscommon Gaels v Four Roads (8pm); Athleague: Athleague v Tremane (8.30pm).
Saturday April 5
Cadbury’s Connacht U21 FC final
Carrick-on-Shannon: Leitrim v Roscommon, 2.30pm, Shane Hehir.
Connacht Minor Football League
Duggan Park, Ballinasloe: Roscommon v Galway (6pm).
Sunday April 6
Allianz HL Division 3A Final
Markievicz Park (2pm) Donegal v Roscommon, Gearoid McGrath (Dublin).
Allianz FL Division 3
Roscommon v Sligo, Dr Hyde Park, 3pm, Martin McNally (Monaghan).
Football League Division 3 (all games 12pm)
Orchard Park: Elphin B v Castlerea St Kevin’s B; Johnstown: Clann na nGael C v St Ronan’s; Enfield: St Croan’s B v Ballinameen; Strokestown: Strokestown B v St Brigid’s B; Kilteevan: St Joseph’s v Kilglass Gaels.
Senior Hurling League
Rockfield: Oran v Pádraig Pearses (6.30pm).
MINOR GAA FIXTURES
Thursday, April 3 (all games 6.30pm)
U16 Football League Division 1
Pairc an Phiarsaigh: Pádraig Pearses v Roscommon Gaels; Fuerty: St Ciaran’s v Clann na nGael.
U16 Football League Division 2
Ballyleague: St Faithleach’s v Western Gaels.
Friday, April 4
U16 Football League Division 4
Ballinlough: Michael Glaveys v Kilglass Gaels/St Barry’s (6.45pm); Orchard Park: Elphin v Castlerea St Kevin’s (6.30pm).
Sunday, April 6 (all games at 11am)
Abbey Hotel Minor Football League Division 1
Kiltoom: St Brigid’s v St Ciaran’s.
U16 Football League
Division 1 - Pairc an Phiarsaigh: Pádraig Pearses v St Dominic’s; Lisnamult: Roscommon Gaels v Clann na nGael.
Division 2 - Ballyleague: St Faithleach’s v Strokestown; Kilmore: Kilmore/Shannon Gaels v Western Gaels; Enfield: St Croan’s v Boyle.
Division 3 - Kilbride: Kilbride v Tulsk Lord Edwards; James Timothy Park: Eire Og v Oran.
Division 4 - Kilronan Park: St Ronan’s v St Aidan’s; Ardcarne Park: St Michael’s v Kilglass Gaels/St Barry’s.