St Dominic’s are back, Four Roads never left…
The results of last Sunday’s Kepak Roscommon SHC semi-finals has set up a Four Roads-St Dominic’s final pairing. It promises to be a very interesting final.
Four Roads (the ‘black and amber’) are hurling royalty locally. St Dominic’s have been in great form all season and will go into the final on Sunday, September 29th with very realistic hopes of glory.
St Dominic’s defeated Athleague in a high-scoring semi-final, and by now readers will be well aware that the game featured a remarkable individual performance, with the rampaging Naos Connaughton (at full-forward) proving to be virtually unmarkable. He finished with a fantastic 4-5.
It’s some achievement to score four goals in one game, and a semi-final at that. Four Roads will be determined to try and minimise the impact of Connaughton in the final. On the evidence of last Sunday, they will have their hands full.
It wasn’t all about Connaughton either – this was a fine performance by the entire St Dominic’s team, maintaining the momentum of recent months. They certainly have very credible prospects of claiming the title in what will be their first appearance in a final since 2001.
As for Four Roads, they are serial winners over the decades, and the defending champions are back in the final and ravenous, as ever, for more silverware. They defeated Roscommon Gaels relatively comfortably, 1-21 to 1-12. Mind you, the Gaels missed a number of scoreable chances.
All credit to Roscommon Gaels for keeping Four Roads on their toes in this one. It’s been a very good season for the team, the progress of recent seasons accelerating.
The Gaels will be disappointed not to have made the final, but they’ve had a fine championship campaign. If I can attempt a tenuous Oasis-related pun, after this respectable loss to the defending champions, there’s no need for the Gaels to ‘look black and amber’.
Say it ain’t so, Ray
At no point in the excessively excitable build-up to the Republic of Ireland-England UEFA Nations League game at the Aviva Stadium last weekend could I muster anything like the enthusiasm on display from sections of the Irish media.
True to form, the Off the Ball team on Newstalk – and I’m a big fan of the crew there – were all over the ‘event’. They really do go on far too much about the Irish (men’s) soccer team!
On Today with Claire Byrne on RTE Radio 1, the host welcomed guest Ray Houghton, noting that Ireland and England haven’t met in a competitive game since 1990, adding that when we beat the ‘Auld Enemy’ in 1988, it was Ray who had ‘put the ball in the England net’.
Now Ray is an Irish soccer legend, and a lovely man, but as a pundit, he’s bland. Claire had him on for preview purposes.
Claire: “Can we do it again, Ray?”
Ray: “I see no reason why not”.
Me (to myself): Sorry Ray? NO reason? What about the fact that we have been pretty poor for the last few years? Or the reality that our team/squad is much inferior to England’s? Or that there is no comparison between the talent we have now compared to 1988 (even then, goalkeeper Packie Bonner was our man of the match)? What about the fact that Ireland are ranked 58th in the world, while England – Euro 2024 finalists this summer – are at number four?
I switched stations.
Sorry, what just happened at the Aviva?
Imagine if a one-time fanatical Irish soccer supporter left the country a few years back, ignored the football scene here ever since… and just happened to return last weekend.
Reconnecting with the Irish soccer world, the first newspaper headline he sees reads: ‘Manager Lee Carsley delighted as Rice and Grealish inspire win in big Ireland-England clash’.
Noting all the ‘Irish’ names, the supporter proceeds to celebrate enthusiastically, until…
*Okay, if anyone wants the rights to a play/musical based on the above idea, I won’t be hard dealt with…
Ronnie’s ramblings
Ronnie Whelan gets so agitated in co-commentary (with Darragh Maloney) on RTE’s soccer coverage. Last Saturday night, as Ireland huffed and puffed to no avail against a slick English side, our Ronnie was as negative and miserable as ever.
He was a fine player (Ronnie gave us some memorable moments in Liverpool and Ireland jerseys), but as a pundit/co-commentator he is really hard to listen to. To be honest, I think I’d prefer to be stuck in a lift with Daniel O’Donnell…
If moaning Ronnie’s so sure he knows what’s best, why doesn’t he resurrect his less than spectacular management career?
Overnight trips to Man Utd games
A regular correspondent has been in touch to ask if I will give a mention to upcoming trips to Old Trafford, departing from Roscommon!
Supporters will be interested to hear that two excursions are planned, both inclusive of match tickets, hotel accommodation, ferry, bus, etc.
These excursions really are fantastic value. The first one up is for the Manchester United v Brentford Premier League game on October 19th. This one-night trip is available for just €299 per person.
Package includes the following: bus from Casey’s Supermac’s in Roscommon Town, takes you to ferry; bus to hotel in Manchester (breakfast included). Travel and tickets to match included. Return trip by ferry and then bus back to Casey’s in Roscommon!
Second up, and this is a mouth-watering fixture, is Manchester United v Arsenal in the New Year. This is a two-night trip, with the game taking place on March 8th, 2025. Cost per person is €469. Package is as per above (travel from Roscommon to Manchester, accommodation, match tickets, etc).
These great packages will sell fast, so if you are interested, call Danny on 086 8417264. And tell your friends!
Grim first week for new Irish manager
The week didn’t get any better for new Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson on Tuesday night, when that one-sided loss to England on Saturday was followed by a 2-0 home defeat to Greece.
To be fair, Ireland played some decent football in the first half and Chiedozie Ogbene had a magnificent goal disallowed for offside in the 41st minute. It was so unfortunate that he was marginally off.
It’s early days for the new coach but he clearly has a difficult job on his hands – something many of his predecessors will identify with.
Darts ace Painter for Strokestown
Kevin Painter, 2004 World Championship Darts runner-up and winner of the Players Championship Finals 2011, will visit The Sportsman’s Inn, Strokestown on Saturday, 21st of September to play an exhibition. All are welcome on what promises to be a highly entertaining night of darts.
