AIQ Round 3B - Roscommon vs. Armagh (19/07/14, 5pm - Live on SKY)

[moysider]

Playing at home Roscommon wouldn t want to go losing this now. That d be a step backwards and a bad blow.

[Captain Obvious]

Playing at home Roscommon wouldn t want to go losing this now. That d be a step backwards and a bad blow.

after beating Tyrone in omagh it would also be a step back if Armagh lose this game.

[Oraisteach]

Time to book holidays.  Paddy Power has Roscommon at 4/5 and Armagh at 5/4.  Well, maybe the Orchard can pull an Auburn, Syf.

[T Fearon]

This game is the acid test of Armagh management team! They are sore about lack of respect and appreciation.Well toeearn such it's this type of game they should and do need to win

[Shrewdness]

Armagh people are more than welcome in Roscommon this weekend. Despite what our neighbours think, there's loads to do and see around our magnificent county. The presence of the Sky cameras will add to the interest, and no doubt our bus will draw a lot of attention....It would be nice if the Armagh team could bring the contents of the bus toilets home with them, unlike their hurlers last year...As for the game itself, make no mistake that this will be a very tough game for Roscommon. Armagh didn't have a good league, but any team that drew with Monaghan and beat Tyrone in Omagh, is entitled to be respected. Very hard match to call.

[Syferus]

Armagh people are more than welcome in Roscommon this weekend. Despite what our neighbours think, there's loads to do and see around our magnificent county. The presence of the Sky cameras will add to the interest, and no doubt our bus will draw a lot of attention....It would be nice if the Armagh team could bring the contents of the bus toilets home with them, unlike their hurlers last year...As for the game itself, make no mistake that this will be a very tough game for Roscommon. Armagh didn't have a good league, but any team that drew with Monaghan and beat Tyrone in Omagh, is entitled to be respected. Very hard match to call.

At least the Armagh lads aren't as mean as the Tyrone hoors, I've never seen so many boots open and sandwiches being eaten in my life

Hopeful Sky present the match live from inside the bus.

[moysider]

Armagh people are more than welcome in Roscommon this weekend. Despite what our neighbours think, there's loads to do and see around our magnificent county. The presence of the Sky cameras will add to the interest, and no doubt our bus will draw a lot of attention....It would be nice if the Armagh team could bring the contents of the bus toilets home with them, unlike their hurlers last year...As for the game itself, make no mistake that this will be a very tough game for Roscommon. Armagh didn't have a good league, but any team that drew with Monaghan and beat Tyrone in Omagh, is entitled to be respected. Very hard match to call.

At least the Armagh lads aren't as mean as the Tyrone hoors, I've never seen so many boots open and sandwiches being eaten in my life Hopeful Sky present the match live from inside the bus.

Last month I went to the Hyde without any sandwiches.
I was starving by the time I got back to Mayo!

[naka]

Looking forward to this game think the orchard are moving forward and the management deserve credit.
As to the match Rossies how is donnie shine playing
A fine footballer

[muppet]

Looking forward to this game think the orchard are moving forward and the management deserve credit.
As to the match Rossies how is donnie shine playing
A fine footballer

I have some Anglo shares that I could sell you.

[Syferus]

Looking forward to this game think the orchard are moving forward and the management deserve credit.
As to the match Rossies how is donnie shine playing
A fine footballer

We're getting the bionic leg fitted on him in Kildare on Wednesday.

[naka]

Ok smart arses
Just read he has a cruciate injury
Hope he recovers cos he still is a classy footballer

[Syferus]

Ok smart arses
Just read he has a cruciate injury
Hope he recovers cos he still is a classy footballer

Arrah it's only good natured stuff! Donie's prognosis was 6-8 weeks and the Armagh game will be 6 weeks after the Mayo one. Haven't heard anything to suggest he's even training again so I wouldn't expect to see him on Saturday. You'll like his replacement at 11 too, though..

[commonman]

Game on Sky. Big challenge is for Armagh to string two good performances together, something that hasn't happened too often in recent years.Like all previous Roscommon Armagh clashes this is a 50/50 game.Brings back nostalgic memories of 1977 for us oldies!

• McDermott says All-Ireland semi-final(s) with Armagh unfairly overshadowed by Dublin/Kerry
  
  
  The 1977 All-Ireland semi-final between Roscommon and Armagh was a repeat of a semi-final meeting in 1953 which Armagh won by a point. While Roscommon had won a number of Connacht titles in the interim, it was Armagh's first Ulster title since 1953. Many people reckon that the other 1977 football semi-final – between Dublin and Kerry – was one of the greatest games ever played, but in the hype surrounding that encounter, two marvellous matches between Roscommon and Armagh were almost totally forgotten about. The first game in particular was a footballing classic between two excellent attacking teams. Ultimately Roscommon lost out in the replay by a single point. One of the stars of those games, Roscommon midfielder Marty McDermott (later to become a very successful Roscommon team manager), recalls those two classic games.
  
  
  
  
  1977 All-Ireland SFC semi-final
  
  Roscommon     2-12
  
  Armagh             3-9
  
  
  
  
  This game was played on a fine sunny day in Croke Park on the 14th August, 1977 and the 32,601 crowd was treated to a classic high-scoring game of  football played by two teams who thrilled the spectators with their high energy and attacking style of play.
  
    This drawn game saw John O'Gara play what was probably his greatest game in the primrose and blue jersey. He and his partner Marty McDermott lorded the exchanges in the middle of the field against the much-vaunted pairing of Joe Kernan and Colm McKinstry. O'Gara repeatedly cut a swathe through the Armagh defence with his excellent running and beautiful skill.
  
    I remember travelling to the game on the train. It was packed with Rossies and we all stood together  on the Canal End that day but the Roscommon support was dwarfed by the massive number who travelled from the north to support Armagh in their first All-Ireland semi-final in 24 years. There was a sea of tangerine and white in Croke Park.
  
    The action was fast and furious from the throw-in. Tony McManus scored a Roscommon point inside 30 seconds but Armagh responded well and their most potent attacker, Jimmy Smith, scored a fine goal in the 8th minute.
  
    With O'Gara and McDermott in command at midfield Roscommon began to dominate. A great move involving Mickey Menton and Patsy Cox released Eamonn McManus who rattled the Armagh net with a super goal in the 17th minute.
  
    A minute later Mickey Menton's thunderbolt crashed against the post but three minutes later a brilliant solo run from O'Gara – which brought him past several Armagh players – led to a great Roscommon goal by Dermot Earley. Roscommon went in at half-time leading by 2-7 to 1-4.
  
    Armagh came out battling after the break and they grabbed a second goal (from Trainor) after 10 minutes. However points from Mickey Freyne and three Dermot Earley frees left Roscommon seemingly coasting and ahead by seven points with only 13 minutes to go.
  
    Armagh were edging back into the game and with 10 minutes left they were awarded a penalty that was converted by Paddy Moriarty and then three great points from the ever-dangerous Jimmy Smith levelled the scores with two minutes to go.
  
    In the final minute, a Roscommon 'goal' from Mickey Freyne was disallowed for a 'square ball'  and then almost immediately a Tony McManus shot was blocked out for a '50. It was the final kick of the game and as Dermot Earley stood to take it, an Armagh official ran across his path and said something. It is not certain to this day whether the Armagh official put Earley off his kick – or what was said – but the result was that he missed the kick and the game ended in a draw.
  
    It was a magnificent, breathless game but Roscommon had thrown away a big lead and a chance to get to an All-Ireland Final. Still, they had  lived to fight another day.
  
  Roscommon: Gerry O'Dowd; Harry Keegan, Pat Lindsay, Tom Heneghan; Tom Donnellan, Richard O'Beirne, Danny Murray; John O'Gara (0-1), Marty McDermott; Dermot Earley (1-5), Mickey Freyne (0-1), Eamonn McManus (1-1); Tony McManus (0-1), Patsy Cox (0-2), Mickey Menton (0-1). Subs: J O'Connor for E McManus, G Beirne for Menton, E McManus for O'Gara.
  
  Armagh: B McAlinden; D Stevenson, J Finnegan, J McKerr; K Rafferty, T McCreesh, J Donnelly; J Kernan, C McKinstry; L Kearns, J Smith (1-5), N Marley (0-1); P Loughran (0-2), P Moriarty (1-0), P Trainor (1-0). Subs: S Devlin (0-1) for McCreesh, T McCreesh for Finnegan, F Toman for Rafferty.
  
  Referee: Paddy Collins (Westmeath).
  
  
  
  
  1977 All-Ireland SFC semi-final replay
  
  Armagh                   0-15
  
  Roscommon           0-14
  
  
  
  
  This game was just as exciting as the drawn match and was played before a crowd of 43,322 at Croke Park on the 28th August, 1977. The exchanges were tough and hard and the scores were level several times throughout the game.
  
    I stood with the Roscommon supporters on Hill 16. We thought that if we changed ends we would have better luck – however it was not to be! Thankfully there were far more Roscommon supporters at the replay than on the first day.
  
    Armagh started the better and led by 0-3 to 0-0 after nine minutes. John O'Gara was having another great game in the middle of the field for Roscommon and the Connacht champions came roaring back into the game. Points from Dermot Earley, Tony McManus and Patsy Cox saw the sides level and then in the 16th minute Roscommon were denied a goal by the woodwork when Mickey Menton's shot cannoned off the Armagh crossbar and was cleared.
  
    It was nip and tuck all the way through but Roscommon were dealt a cruel blow after 22 minutes when brilliant corner-back Harry Keegan had to go off injured. There was only a point in it at half-time, Armagh 0-8 Roscommon 0-7.
  
    It was a titanic struggle until the 25th minute of the second half when Armagh began to pull away and with Peter Loughran and Jimmy Smith scoring good points, the Orchard County led by three points with five minutes remaining. But  Roscommon points from Dermot Earley and sub Michael Finneran left only one in it right on the call of full-time and the Roscommon crowd were on their feet.
  
    Sadly though Roscommon ran out of time and there was much anger directed at referee Paddy Collins as he played almost no injury-time despite claims that he should have played at least three or four minutes.
  
    However Roscommon were beaten by a point and Armagh went through to the All-Ireland Final to play Dublin. It was a heroic effort by the Connacht champions who woud rue losing that seven-point lead in the drawn game.
  
  Roscommon: John McDermott; Harry Keegan, Pat Linsday, Tom Heneghan; Tom Donnellan, Mike Keegan, Danny Murray; John O'Gara, Marty McDermott: Dermot Earley (0-7), Mickey Freyne (0-1), Eamonn McManus (0-2); Tony McManus (0-2), Patsy Cox (0-1), Mickey Menton. Subs: M White for  H Keegan, J O'Connor for Menton, M Finneran (0-1) for White.
  
  Armagh scorers: J Smith (0-5), P Loughran (0-5), S Devlin (0-2), P Trainor (0-2), L Kerins (0-1).
  
  
  
  
  Roscommon midfielder Marty McDermott recalls those two great games between Roscommon and Armagh very well.
  
    "They were two brilliant games and although everyone talks about the Kerry/Dublin game in 1977 as being such a classic, the two games between Roscommon and Armagh were super games played between two skillful and very committed teams" he told me.
  
    "The football was top class in both games and I remember that any tactical plan we had went out the window after about 10 minutes the first day because it was real helter-skelter football with the ball travelling from one end of the field to the other at an almighty pace.
  
    "We had a big lead the first day but we did not hold on to it and sadly we paid a heavy price for that. The one thing I remember from the second day was that the second half seemed to go so quickly. When you are playing in a game you get absorbed in it and you haven't a clue about the time but in the replay when the final whistle blew I was sure we had at least ten minutes left to go so it was a bitter blow to lose the game by a point" he said.
  
    With regard to the controversy involving the Armagh official running across Dermot Earley's path as he prepared to take that fateful 50-yard kick at the end of the first game, Marty says: "I don't know what that Armagh official said to Dermot and Dermot has never revealed it to this day. Maybe he will one of these days but we reckon that the incident definitely put him (Earley) off.
  
    "However they were two great games and to be a part of them was a great honour. It was great to be on a such a good skillful Roscommon team at that time. There were wonderful players on it. They are memories that I will treasure" he concluded.

[moysider]

Game on Sky. Big challenge is for Armagh to string two good performances together, something that hasn't happened too often in recent years.Like all previous Roscommon Armagh clashes this is a 50/50 game.Brings back nostalgic memories of 1977 for us oldies!

• McDermott says All-Ireland semi-final(s) with Armagh unfairly overshadowed by Dublin/Kerry
  
  
  The 1977 All-Ireland semi-final between Roscommon and Armagh was a repeat of a semi-final meeting in 1953 which Armagh won by a point. While Roscommon had won a number of Connacht titles in the interim, it was Armagh's first Ulster title since 1953. Many people reckon that the other 1977 football semi-final – between Dublin and Kerry – was one of the greatest games ever played, but in the hype surrounding that encounter, two marvellous matches between Roscommon and Armagh were almost totally forgotten about. The first game in particular was a footballing classic between two excellent attacking teams. Ultimately Roscommon lost out in the replay by a single point. One of the stars of those games, Roscommon midfielder Marty McDermott (later to become a very successful Roscommon team manager), recalls those two classic games.
  
  
  
  
  1977 All-Ireland SFC semi-final
  
  Roscommon     2-12
  
  Armagh             3-9
  
  
  
  
  This game was played on a fine sunny day in Croke Park on the 14th August, 1977 and the 32,601 crowd was treated to a classic high-scoring game of  football played by two teams who thrilled the spectators with their high energy and attacking style of play.
  
    This drawn game saw John O'Gara play what was probably his greatest game in the primrose and blue jersey. He and his partner Marty McDermott lorded the exchanges in the middle of the field against the much-vaunted pairing of Joe Kernan and Colm McKinstry. O'Gara repeatedly cut a swathe through the Armagh defence with his excellent running and beautiful skill.
  
    I remember travelling to the game on the train. It was packed with Rossies and we all stood together  on the Canal End that day but the Roscommon support was dwarfed by the massive number who travelled from the north to support Armagh in their first All-Ireland semi-final in 24 years. There was a sea of tangerine and white in Croke Park.
  
    The action was fast and furious from the throw-in. Tony McManus scored a Roscommon point inside 30 seconds but Armagh responded well and their most potent attacker, Jimmy Smith, scored a fine goal in the 8th minute.
  
    With O'Gara and McDermott in command at midfield Roscommon began to dominate. A great move involving Mickey Menton and Patsy Cox released Eamonn McManus who rattled the Armagh net with a super goal in the 17th minute.
  
    A minute later Mickey Menton's thunderbolt crashed against the post but three minutes later a brilliant solo run from O'Gara – which brought him past several Armagh players – led to a great Roscommon goal by Dermot Earley. Roscommon went in at half-time leading by 2-7 to 1-4.
  
    Armagh came out battling after the break and they grabbed a second goal (from Trainor) after 10 minutes. However points from Mickey Freyne and three Dermot Earley frees left Roscommon seemingly coasting and ahead by seven points with only 13 minutes to go.
  
    Armagh were edging back into the game and with 10 minutes left they were awarded a penalty that was converted by Paddy Moriarty and then three great points from the ever-dangerous Jimmy Smith levelled the scores with two minutes to go.
  
    In the final minute, a Roscommon 'goal' from Mickey Freyne was disallowed for a 'square ball'  and then almost immediately a Tony McManus shot was blocked out for a '50. It was the final kick of the game and as Dermot Earley stood to take it, an Armagh official ran across his path and said something. It is not certain to this day whether the Armagh official put Earley off his kick – or what was said – but the result was that he missed the kick and the game ended in a draw.
  
    It was a magnificent, breathless game but Roscommon had thrown away a big lead and a chance to get to an All-Ireland Final. Still, they had  lived to fight another day.
  
  Roscommon: Gerry O'Dowd; Harry Keegan, Pat Lindsay, Tom Heneghan; Tom Donnellan, Richard O'Beirne, Danny Murray; John O'Gara (0-1), Marty McDermott; Dermot Earley (1-5), Mickey Freyne (0-1), Eamonn McManus (1-1); Tony McManus (0-1), Patsy Cox (0-2), Mickey Menton (0-1). Subs: J O'Connor for E McManus, G Beirne for Menton, E McManus for O'Gara.
  
  Armagh: B McAlinden; D Stevenson, J Finnegan, J McKerr; K Rafferty, T McCreesh, J Donnelly; J Kernan, C McKinstry; L Kearns, J Smith (1-5), N Marley (0-1); P Loughran (0-2), P Moriarty (1-0), P Trainor (1-0). Subs: S Devlin (0-1) for McCreesh, T McCreesh for Finnegan, F Toman for Rafferty.
  
  Referee: Paddy Collins (Westmeath).
  
  
  
  
  1977 All-Ireland SFC semi-final replay
  
  Armagh                   0-15
  
  Roscommon           0-14
  
  
  
  
  This game was just as exciting as the drawn match and was played before a crowd of 43,322 at Croke Park on the 28th August, 1977. The exchanges were tough and hard and the scores were level several times throughout the game.
  
    I stood with the Roscommon supporters on Hill 16. We thought that if we changed ends we would have better luck – however it was not to be! Thankfully there were far more Roscommon supporters at the replay than on the first day.
  
    Armagh started the better and led by 0-3 to 0-0 after nine minutes. John O'Gara was having another great game in the middle of the field for Roscommon and the Connacht champions came roaring back into the game. Points from Dermot Earley, Tony McManus and Patsy Cox saw the sides level and then in the 16th minute Roscommon were denied a goal by the woodwork when Mickey Menton's shot cannoned off the Armagh crossbar and was cleared.
  
    It was nip and tuck all the way through but Roscommon were dealt a cruel blow after 22 minutes when brilliant corner-back Harry Keegan had to go off injured. There was only a point in it at half-time, Armagh 0-8 Roscommon 0-7.
  
    It was a titanic struggle until the 25th minute of the second half when Armagh began to pull away and with Peter Loughran and Jimmy Smith scoring good points, the Orchard County led by three points with five minutes remaining. But  Roscommon points from Dermot Earley and sub Michael Finneran left only one in it right on the call of full-time and the Roscommon crowd were on their feet.
  
    Sadly though Roscommon ran out of time and there was much anger directed at referee Paddy Collins as he played almost no injury-time despite claims that he should have played at least three or four minutes.
  
    However Roscommon were beaten by a point and Armagh went through to the All-Ireland Final to play Dublin. It was a heroic effort by the Connacht champions who woud rue losing that seven-point lead in the drawn game.
  
  Roscommon: John McDermott; Harry Keegan, Pat Linsday, Tom Heneghan; Tom Donnellan, Mike Keegan, Danny Murray; John O'Gara, Marty McDermott: Dermot Earley (0-7), Mickey Freyne (0-1), Eamonn McManus (0-2); Tony McManus (0-2), Patsy Cox (0-1), Mickey Menton. Subs: M White for  H Keegan, J O'Connor for Menton, M Finneran (0-1) for White.
  
  Armagh scorers: J Smith (0-5), P Loughran (0-5), S Devlin (0-2), P Trainor (0-2), L Kerins (0-1).
  
  
  
  
  Roscommon midfielder Marty McDermott recalls those two great games between Roscommon and Armagh very well.
  
    "They were two brilliant games and although everyone talks about the Kerry/Dublin game in 1977 as being such a classic, the two games between Roscommon and Armagh were super games played between two skillful and very committed teams" he told me.
  
    "The football was top class in both games and I remember that any tactical plan we had went out the window after about 10 minutes the first day because it was real helter-skelter football with the ball travelling from one end of the field to the other at an almighty pace.
  
    "We had a big lead the first day but we did not hold on to it and sadly we paid a heavy price for that. The one thing I remember from the second day was that the second half seemed to go so quickly. When you are playing in a game you get absorbed in it and you haven't a clue about the time but in the replay when the final whistle blew I was sure we had at least ten minutes left to go so it was a bitter blow to lose the game by a point" he said.
  
    With regard to the controversy involving the Armagh official running across Dermot Earley's path as he prepared to take that fateful 50-yard kick at the end of the first game, Marty says: "I don't know what that Armagh official said to Dermot and Dermot has never revealed it to this day. Maybe he will one of these days but we reckon that the incident definitely put him (Earley) off.
  
    "However they were two great games and to be a part of them was a great honour. It was great to be on a such a good skillful Roscommon team at that time. There were wonderful players on it. They are memories that I will treasure" he concluded.

I remember those games.
That was a fine Ros team but probably underachieved outside the province. They didn t seem to bring that swagger into Croke Park. Out of 4 titles in a row they made the AI final once. Yet Rossies are often the first to stone Mayo for conversion rate. Ok in 78 they got flattened by one of the greatest Kerry years but a declining Dublin in 79 should have been taken out.
Armagh was the only team that Roscommon team beat in championship in Croke Park and that was in 1980, in a bit of a shoot-out. For the most part I remember Ros leaving 77 behind. I remember that late Earley miss. I remember thinking at the time as a kid that he never misses anything against us. Then again Mayo would never interfere with the great man's run up
What a great player he was.

[Syferus]

Yer lads will go down with the 77-80 team if they can't find a way to win the big one. A team winning that consistently needs to get the big one and we know that better than anyone.

West Ros (and, yes, East Mayo) is a football hotbed, Moy. I've spent many's a time thinking about the sort of all-time team you could make with the players with links to the area. John Morley and Sean Flanagan are laying the ball off to Dermot in the big game in the sky as we speak.