Allianz Football League Division Two: Roscommon v Down (Sunday, Dr Hyde Park, 2pm)
LAST time Down hit the road they came home with two points after a good afternoon’s work in Louth, but tomorrow the Mournemen face a much tougher task.
Kevin McStay’s Roscommon were relegated from Division One last year but have adjusted to life in the second tier in impressive fashion and built on a high-scoring opening day draw against Meath with a gutsy 1-17 to 3-9 success against Tipperary at Semple Stadium last weekend.
The Rossies looked in big trouble in Thurles after Michael Quinlivan slalomed through their defence to score Tipp’s third goal and send Liam Kearns’ men into a 3-8 to 0-11 lead. But Roscommon weren’t finished and they showed a real appetite for a scrap by roaring back in the closing stages.
Diarmuid Murtagh’s goal got them back in the game and, with the scent of blood in their nostrils, they reeled Tipp in and overhauled them to take a memorable win.
Meanwhile, Down were hosting Cork in their first home game of a campaign that had begun so brightly with their win in Drogheda. Midway through the second half, the Mournemen were still in with a shout after a long-range effort from Caolan Mooney closed the gap to a point. Then Cork clinically capitalised on a misplaced kick-out, Mark Collins’ found the back of their net and that was that.
The defeat deflated Down’s momentum from their opening day win and manager Eamonn Burns is well aware that his men need to bounce back tomorrow.
“They (Roscommon) have three points now, so we have to go to Dr Hyde Park dust ourselves down, roll our sleeves up and get ready for it,” said the Bryansford native.
Only two teams relegated from Division One in the past 10 years have managed to bounce straight back to the top flight. Roscommon have made a good start to their bid to equal what Donegal achieved in 2014 and Tyrone matched two years later, but their two outings so far hint at a porous defence that is going to cost them at some stage in this campaign.
So far, the Rossies have conceded a whopping five goals (including two penalties against Tipp) and there was evidence in that game of how they struggle to cope with high ball into their goalmouth.
For tomorrow, manager McStay has replaced regular netminder Colm Lavin with Roscommon Gaels goalkeeper James Featherston who will make his senior inter-county debut.
Down boss Burns and his management team will be keen to test the new ’keeper early and often and Glassdrumman full-forward Connaire Harrison showed against Louth – with a match-winning 1-2 in five second half minutes – that he is a quality finisher if he gets the service.
Elsewhere, Rossies boss McStay has replaced Fintan Cregg and Ciaráin Murtagh (who has scored 2-10 in his last three games against Down) with debutant Cian McKeon and Finbar Cregg and Brian Stack replaces Seán Mullooly.
There is also a return to the matchday panel for Ultan Harney, the Clann na nGael clubman who missed the entire Championship campaign last year.
The fulcrum of the Roscommon attack is willing targetman Ciaran Lennon who plays inside and is happy to drop deep to win the ball and lay it off. When the pass isn’t on; the Rossies are happy to play the ball through their hands and in the likes of Donie Smith they have players who can score from distance.
Down will struggle to win ball against this Roscommon midfield and the Rossies have dominated the last three meetings between the counties. That trend look set to continue on Sunday.
Roscommon: J Featherston; D Murray, J McManus, N McInerney; N Daly, F Lennon, B Stack; T O’Rourke, E Smith; F Cregg, N Kilroy, C Devaney; D Murtagh, C Lennon, C McKeon
Down: TBC
