Topics

If any county and it's posters need it's own thread, it's the Rossies. We'll discuss anyone or anything on here. It's only fair to posters from 30 other counties that we leave them in peace on other threads.

Here in Roscommon, we're hearing ''chatter'' coming from Mayo, that there could be significant unrest surrounding the Mayo Senior Football team, management, Co Board etc. Thought at first that it might be the usual whinging that goes on in every county after a defeat. But i see some prominent Mayo posters from this board, discussing it among themselves on the 'Local Gaa Discussion' Thread, as they're entitled to do.. But, why not share it with the rest of us? After all, you know what they say, '' a problem shared, is a problem halved'?. So lads, what's going on in Mayo?

Rather than wading through hurling posts on the qualifiers thread, this match deserves a thread of it's own...History beckons as this is a first ever championship clash between both counties.. Imo, this is a potentially awkward tie for Roscommon. Which Roscommon will turn up? Will any of our injured players be back, or are there any new injuries?

Tough game for Ros. Last thing they needed right now.

In one of today's papers, ex Mayo footballer David Brady, states that in his opinion, Cillian O'Connor is the greatest player he has seen playing for Mayo.. So, how does everyone feel about that in Mayo particularly. Imo, it's Ciaran Mc Donald.

Just a few weeks until Galway hit the Big Apple. This has the potential to be a very Competitive Connacht Championship. Only time will tell whether it turns out that way. Can Mayo make it 5 in a row, or will emerging Roscommon and Galway teams restore the glory teams. Presuming Galway and Ros beat New York and London respectively, will Leitrim and Sligo have a surprise up their sleeve? Putting my head on the block, i fear that Mayo will make it 5 in a row.

So, it all comes down to this. There are numerous permutations as to what will relegate or promote various teams in Division 2.. Westmeath know that they must win this game to have any chance of avoiding relegation. Even at that, they need other results to go their way...Roscommon now find themselves in the position where even if they win this game, they could still miss out on promotion..With The Ros U-21's having a Connacht Final next Saturday evening, what involvement, if any, will we see in Mullingar from Diarmuid Murtagh, Enda Smith and Ultan Harney?. These lads will be a big loss to Ros if they don't play. This has the makings of a very tricky game for Roscommon.

It might be a Division 2 fixture, but this will be one of the most fascinating games of next weekend.. Whilst they're not the team they used to be, Meath are always formidable opposition, and will provide a stern test for John Evans' young team. Meath were beaten on their last trip west by Galway, but recovered well to beat Kildare.. The Rossies underperformed in drawing with Cavan, before having a brilliant win in Newry..Very hard to call this game, which is being played in Hyde Park..

Someone asked me today, how much pay Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks got for being on duty in Polling Stations on election days. It seems there are all sorts of myths out there. I had to admit that i didn't know what they get. Anyone on here know?

Didn't want to start a new thread, but had no choice. The other U-21 thread has been hijacked by the merits or otherwise of Gaa clubs in Dublin, and trawling through page after page of it was too much. Anyway, this is an All Ireland Final between two excellent teams. What will it take for Roscommon to win it?  Will Roscommon's style of play suit Dublin? So much to debate.

If, as expected, David Moyes is dismissed as manager, who is the manager best placed to bring United back to where they belong? If you vote for ''none of the above'', tell us who you suggest.

If the debate on the U-21 thread is anything to go by, there could be some lively jousting between the Rossies and Cavan folk on this one..Could be a very good game. Cavan won all 7 league games, Ros won 6, losing to Cavan in Breffni Park when Ros made 9 changes from the previous game, and put a penalty over the bar.

Unless i have missed it on here, nobody has mentioned the news in recent days, that Mayo have pulled out of their trip to New York  to play in the FBD League Final.
In a statement, the Mayo Co.Board said that ''they are unable to field a team''.

Apparently the news has not gone down well in New York. Mayo won the 'home' section of the FBD League last January, and were well aware of this fixture since.
The Connacht council are also furious over this, and said in a statement, that they will meet in the next few weeks to decide what sanctions to impose on the Mayo Co. Board.

Then to think, that on the All Ireland Final thread on this site, we had a Mayo supporter proposing the idea of getting Mayo people overseas to set up direct debit mandates to pump more dollars and other currencies into Mayo Gaa....

Just over a week to go to this, and as i can't see any other thread here for it, we might as well get the ball rolling.
Needless to say, Galway will be favourites, but i have a feeling that the Rossies could have a big
performance in them for this game.

Galway operated in Div 2 of the league with Ros in Div 3, both of them failing to get promoted.
In recent weeks, Ros have played 3 challenge games. They drew 2-11 apiece with Louth, they beat Tipperary, scoring 4 goals in the process, but conceding 3.
Last weekend they beat Derry somewhere outside Derry City by 2-12 to 0-14.

Of course, challenge games soon pale into insignificance once the white heat of championship battle commences.
The Ros team that played against Derry is expected to be very close to that which will play Galway. It was G.Claffey, S.Mc Dermott, N.Carty, S.Purcell, D.Keenan, P.Domican, I.Kilbride, K.Mannion, M.Finneran, D.O'Gara,C.Cregg, J.Rogers, D.Mc Dermott, S.Kilbride, D.Shine.

It will be very interesting to see if Niall Daly will be accomodated in the half back line having played most of the league games.

Would be interested to know how the Galway people view this game.

Kerry 2-14, Mayo 1-13

It's all over for the Rossies for another year.

They continue to improve , but my question is, where do they go from here. What will it take to move them up another level.
They'll be playing in Division 3 of the league next year, and are predominantly a young team.

The experience of games against Cork (last year) and Tyrone in Croke Park can only help them, because with no offence intended, you won't learn much by playing Division 4 football.

It's my opinion that they could and should have beaten Mayo in the Connacht Final, but they didn't.They are now able to beat Mayo at minor and under 21 level, but not senior. That's the next level they must reach. We can't keep blaming the weather, referees, and shooting wides for Roscommon defeats.

They now face trying to take it up another level. There are many other excellent young players emerging on the fringes of the Senior panel, and even just outside it. A fully fit David O'Gara will be a huge plus next year. Hopefully we'll also get a look at young Cathal Shine who was ruled out by injury this year.

Perhaps the most relevant question of all....Will Fergal O'Donnell agree to stay on as manager.
He was appointed for a 2 year term, with the option of a third year.
That time has now ended....It's a huge commitment for a man with a young family, and my fear is that if he calls time on it now, it could set us back. 

Mayo are getting better game by game, and with just 5 counties left in the running, my question is......Is the current Mayo team good enough to win Sam this year when nobody expected it.

They gave a magnificent display against Cork, and whilst they don't have happy memories of Kerry, i wouldn't be one bit surprised if they beat Kerry in the semi final.

Kerry's defence could be suspect if you take them on, and i believe Mayo have the forwards to do that. There must be a doubt over Darren O'Sullivan's participation the next day, and is it just me, or does anyone else think that Gooch hasn't been his usual self in Kerry's last 2 games.

If Mayo can reproduce yesterday's form going forward, it would be a foolish man to write them off.

So, we now have the first three contenders for the 2010 Connacht Club Championship with the various titles going to Glencar-Manorhamilton (Leitrim), Eastern Harps(Sligo) and St.Brigid's (Roscommon).

It seems St.Brigid's will have home advantage against Eastern Harps next day out.

They beat Elphin 0-14 to 0-9 in today's Co.Final with Frankie Dolan turning back the clock with a man of the match performance.

I reckon Brigid's are well equipped to give Connacht a decent go this year with players like Dolan, Karol Mannion, Senan and Ian Kilbride, Peter Domican amongst others, although Eastern Harps will present a stiff challenge.

Very low scoring final in Leitrim, 0-7 to 0-5.

Needless to say, the Galway and Mayo champs will be strong.

As Connacht is the only province without a representative in the All Ireland Semi Finals, is Connacht Football in a state of disarray and what does the immediate future hold for it's 5 counties.?

It's very rare to find both Galway and Mayo looking for a new manager at the same time.
Events in this year's Connacht Championship and All Ireland Qualifiers prove that both counties are currently in temporary decline.
Who ever thought they would see the day that Wexford and Longford would send the big two in Connacht tumbling out of the championship.
Some people on this board have suggested that both will be back as a force in Connacht next year, but is there really any concrete evidence to back that up.
It will be fascinating to see who the 2 new managers will be.

I think Mayo will return to strength before Galway. If you take the age of Padraig Joyce into account, and couple that with a lack of steady underage talent coming through, i think Galway's new manager will have his hands full.Where are all the 2007 Minors gone to. Paul Conroy is the only one that i've seen to progress.

Roscommon won a Connacht Title this year, about 2 years earlier than most people thought they would even be competitive enough to challenge for one.
They do have a lot of talented young players, and overall it's a young panel, with a lot more young players poised to break through.
But Ros still have a lot of rough edges to their play, and will be plying their trade in Division 4 of the League next Spring.

What effects will the events of the last 2 games have on Sligo?
A successful league which yielded promotion and the experience of winning in Croke Park, was added to by those 3 memorable undefeated games against Mayo and Galway.
But , the Connacht Final defeat, and the subsequent 19 point humiliation against Down are bound to leave psychological scars on the Sligo set up.
Can they rouse themselves for another serious tilt at a Connacht Title next year?
Will Kevin Walsh still be manager next year, and if he is, will the Sligo players continue to 'buy in' to the Kevin Walsh style of management as they've done during his tenure so far.

Unfortunately, it's hard to see anything but continuing struggle for Leitrim.
A small population, a lack of underage success and an inability to get out of Division 4 will surely hinder any hopes of progress.

So, what does the immediate future hold for Connacht. Are we about to slip behing the other provinces, or is there light at the end of the tunnel?

One of these counties stands just 70 minutes away from a cherished Connacht Final appearance.

Who will it be?. Are Roscommon capable of anything better than the crap they have delivered in 2010, or is this as good as they are?

What about Leitrim? Didn't pull up any trees in the league, but they're sure to be out for revenge for last year's loss in Carrick, and are sure to be galvanised as a team by the tragic loss of Philly Mc Guinness.