ROSCOMMON manager John Evans says that this weekend’s upcoming Round 3A qualifier match against Fermanagh is the “toughest draw they could have got.”
The Rossies come into the game after an impressive Round 2A victory over Cavan on Saturday prevailing 3-17 to 1-16. The result was all the more impressive considering the team’s injury problems – five players from the spine of the team were out with injury, including captain Niall Carty and 6'4" full-forward Sennan Kilbride.
“It gave us a chance to bring in a few other players and they performed. They were looking for their chance as well so we’re happy with it – we needed to turn it around after the Sligo debacle and we wanted to show that there was more in us.”
He continued: “I don’t know whether the injured players will be back for Fermanagh, my honest answer is that I don’t know – I’m hoping they’re on the verge of coming back but whether they’ll be back or not is another thing."
The “Sligo debacle” in the Connacht SFC semi-final came after Roscommon secured league promotion for the second year running. They’ll play topflight football next season, and Evans believes it wasn’t one thing in particular that led to their surprise provincial defeat to the Yeats Country.
“There were so many things that went wrong on the day for us. We’d too many wides, we’d missed goal chances, and there were a couple of decisions that went against us - it was a combination of things more than anything else.”
Fermanagh have also made strides under the stewardship of Down legend Pete McGrath, securing promotion to Division 2 and easily accounting for Antrim in Sunday's qualifier match.
Evans admits it is a concern as well that Roscommon will likely have to travel to Brewster Park, considering it’s become something of a fortress for the Ernesiders.
“Now that we’re back up and running again and we’ve a a win underneath our belts, we’ll hope to try and build on it, but we’ve Fermanagh standing in our way now.
“I’d be really concerned with that fact Fermanagh have done so well in Brewster Park – I’m not sure the last time they were beaten there.”
“We’ve had hardly games at all at home this year, I think we’ve had two games at home - one against Meath, one against Galway and that’s it."
He added: “We’ve played all our championship games and the rest of the league games away, but it’s a good thing to get used to anyway.”
Despite the impressive nature of the Cavan victory, they still conceded 1-16, but Evans claims this is an inaccurate portrayal of the true nature of the match.
“With the last three or four points by Cavan, I don’t know why they were going for points and I think our lads were confused why they were going for points as well.
"It was goals they really needed at that stage so when they got their three or four scores toward at the end I don’t think it was probably much of a concern.”
Most people point to Roscommon’s underage success as reason for their recent progress, but Evans emphasises the importance of the team’s old brigade – and also the importance of managing expectations.
“I think a lot of people had missed that point that the experienced players that are there have given a serious commitment and they’ve given a great example to the younger players coming in.
“Roscommon have underachieved and now that they’re beginning to rise and achieve and move up the ladder, there's a new expectation on the team but that has to be nurtured and handled properly as well.”
Managing these expectations has proved difficult, and Evans himself added fuel to the fire prior to the championship with comments about competing for All-Ireland success – but with the naturally positive Kerry native focused only on Fermanagh, the Sligo disaster may have had a silver lining for Roscommon.
