Allianz Football League Division Two: Cork v Roscommon on Saturday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7 pm
What originally looked like a tricky trip to the banks of the River Lee on Saturday, March the 1st when the fixtures were first drawn up has now assumed critical importance for Roscommon footballers as the race for promotion to Division One has really heated up following last weekend’s results.
This time last week Roscommon were cruising along at the top of Division Two, with much praise being heaped on their style of play. However, one week and a substandard display later, the Rossies now find themselves third on the table (on scoring difference) with a battle ahead of them.
What makes this fixture even more interesting is that Cork, who have been very inconsistent so far, can draw level on the table with Roscommon if they win this clash. So it’s a very big game for them too.
Roscommon were well off their best against Meath and they will have to rediscover the energy and appetite for hard work that we saw in the opening three rounds. It is hoped that at least some of their injured players like Niall Daly, Eddie Nolan and Brian Stack might be back, which would be very welcome.
Roscommon’s attacking threat was there for all to see in the opening three games but it is a worry that Meath were able to virtually shut that down last Sunday and Davy Burke and his selectors will have to find a way to get Roscommon back on the front foot this Saturday. We cannot be depending on Diarmuid and Ciáráin Murtagh to win every game.
Cork are a very unpredictable side. Last weekend they were well beaten by Monaghan, conceding 3-16, and they have also lost to Down by a point (1-19 to 2-15). The Rebels have beaten Westmeath in a high-scoring encounter (3-18 to 3-17) and it is also interesting to note that they defeated Meath by 2-19 to 0-21 in round one. That result should be warning enough for Roscommon. We saw how good Meath were last Sunday.
One thing that’s clear from those results is that Cork are well able to rack up a big score. That said, they look vulnerable at the back and that is something that the Roscommon backroom team will be working on this week. But make no mistake Cork will not be easy to beat on their home turf.
Roscommon fans who are making the long trip south on Saturday can watch out for Daniel O’Mahony, Rory Maguire, top scorer Mark Cronin, Chris Óg Jones and Cathal O’Mahony.
Roscommon manager Davy Burke said after last Sunday’s loss to Meath that they would seek to ‘freshen up’ the team for this weekend, so players like Cathal Heneghan, Ben O’Carroll and Conor Cox might well feature on the starting 15.
Roscommon did not become a bad team overnight but they will have to work hard and play to their strengths if they are to get back on the winning trail. This is likely to be another high-scoring game. Roscommon are well capable of coming out on top by a few points.
Prediction: Roscommon.
Update: 11.44 am, Friday, February 28th, 2025
Manager Davy Burke has made four changes from the starting 15 against Meath, for Saturday’s Allianz National League match against Cork with David Murray, Robbie Dolan, Conor Hand and Ciaran Lennon coming into the team at the expense of Ruaidhrí Fallon, Dylan Ruane, Ronan Daly and Donie Smith.
