Lidl Ladies Football League Division Two: Roscommon v Donegal on Sunday in Johnstown at 2pm
Roscommon ladies face another big challenge when Donegal are the visitors to Johnstown on Sunday. A win and two losses is Roscommon’s record so far but behind that statistic is a tale of two very good performances in defeat, against Monaghan by a point, and against Galway in the last round. In between those defeats, there was a handsome win against Clare in round two.
Donegal would be seen as one of the strongest teams in the group and they have won one and drawn their other two games so far.
Roscommon manager Finbar Egan told People Sport this week that as the campaign unfolds his side are learning every step of the way.
“We did well against Galway in the last round but I felt that we were a little slack in the minutes before and after half-time and the game got away from us. We are working on that and we are learning all the time from playing at this level.”
Egan said that Donegal will present a different type of challenge.
“Donegal are a very good team. They play a very defensive style so we will have to cope with that. We have got to try to get the ball up the pitch and run at them. They will have at least six players back at all times and sometimes they will have 15 (back), so we have to be ready for that.
“There are four senior teams in our group and we want to beat at least one of those. Donegal are next up so at home we will be going for a win.”
The manager reports mixed news on the injury front.
“We have a few players suffering niggly injuries and a few others coming back. It will be later in the week when we will finalise our team selection.”
Egan says that another win would be important in terms of the league table (there are three points for a win in the ladies leagues).
“We want another win. We don’t want to be dragged into any kind of a battle at the bottom of the table so hopefully we can get that win at home this Sunday.”
Saoirse Wynne, Orla O’Neill, Roise Lennon, Caoimhe Cregg, Aisling Hanly and Caoimhe Lennon have all been playing well, and others like Laura Fleming are waiting in the wings to return to action. There is no doubt that this is an improving Roscommon team and the experience of playing sides like Galway, Donegal and Cork will be a huge benefit to them in the long-term.
Donegal are now in the top five teams in the country at senior level. It would be a surprise if Roscommon were to defeat them. However, with Roscommon on home soil in Johnstown, there won’t be much between the teams.
Prediction: Donegal.
