Roscommon play Cavan in a major competitive game for the sixth time in 30 months when the sides lock horns once again this Saturday (5 pm in Kingspan Breffni Park) in a game that offers John Evans’ men a chance for redemption after their very poor display against Sligo a few weeks ago.
Redemption will also be on the minds of Cavan. The Breffni men were beaten by a single point by Monaghan a few weeks ago and they will be determined to build on that display this Saturday.
Cavan are eager to beat Roscommon this time around as the Rossies seem to have the Indian sign over them in recent years. With home advantage they will fancy their chances and a very close and hard-fought battle looks on the cards.
Roscommon were so bad against Sligo it was a scarcely believable after such a great year in the league and the subsequent promotion.
It is likely that Diarmuid Murtagh and Senan Kilbride will be sidelined for this game and it looks like there will be a number of changes on the team. Ultan Harney looks likely to start in the attack as will Conor Daly. Kevin Higgins and Donie Shine are under consideration at midfield to partner Cathal Shine.
Further back, it looks like Niall Daly could well feature at centre half-back with Davy Murray and David Keenan candidates for the half-back line.
Cavan are an improved team this year and with Liam McHale in the backroom set-up, their reputation for ultra-defensive football has been shed in recent months with a slightly more attacking philosophy now in evidence.
Rory Dunne, the outstanding Cavan full-back, will be out after sustaining a serious leg injury in their win against London. Gearoid McKiernan has blossomed into a really top class player and his clash with Cathal Shine at midfield will be interesting.
Other Cavan players who are expected to be prominent will be Martin Dunne and Niall McDermott up front with Cian Mackey, Dara McVeety and Fergal Flanagan. Big Michael Argue from Baileboro poses a considerable threat at full-forward but he is doubtful for Saturday due to injury.
This could be a very tight battle and once again the attitude of the players is key. If Roscommon go into his game determined to put the Sligo debacle behind them, they have the players to win this game. However it will be a big task. Cavan are convinced that they should have beaten Monaghan, and at home they will be determined to turn over Roscommon for the first time in a couple of years.
I hope that Roscommon supporters get behind the team. A win would do wonders for confidence and set the side up for the rest of the qualifiers. Defeat will bring more recriminations and it will signal a very poor championship summer once again. I think Roscommon will bounce back and win here by a couple of points.
Match odds: Cavan 1/1; Roscommon 1/1. Draw 15/2.
Prediction: Roscommon.
