Roscommon hurlers face probably their most difficult task of their Allianz Hurling League Division Three campaign so far when they make the long trip to Aughrim on Sunday to face the Garden County (Echelon Park, Aughrim at 1 pm).
On the face of it this looks a daunting task, but Kevin Sammon’s men went to Aughrim last year and came away with a draw (1-15 to 2-12) so on that basis the Rossies have everything to play for on Sunday.
The Roscommon manager is relishing the challenge. “We had a very good result against Armagh the last day and we have had a few weeks of training (Roscommon didn’t play in the last round of matches) so we are ready to get back into action this weekend. Wicklow are an established Christy Ring Cup team so it’s a big challenge for us.”
Sammon says that he intends to look at different combinations of players once again in this match.
“We have no injuries and a full panel so we will be looking at different players again this week. We put up a very good score in the win against Armagh (1-22) so if we can repeat that we will be there or thereabouts in any match.
“Wicklow at home is a big test but we came here last year and got a draw so if we can improve on that performance we won’t be far away. But the bottom line is that like every other team we are experimenting in the league with a view to the championship later in the year. It is great to have these games in preparation” he concluded.
Goalkeeper Enda Lawless, James Dillon, Conor Cosgrove, James Hardiman, Finn Killion, Cian Murray, Mickey Joe Egan, Cathal Kenny and Michael Hussey have been playing well for Roscommon thus far and as the manager says, plenty of players are getting their chance to nail down a starting place.
The players and management will know that a win in this match will leave them almost certainly safe on the league table, but more importantly it would be a huge boost as the season progresses. A Roscommon victory is certainly achievable here. Don’t rule it out.
Prediction: Roscommon.
