CONNACHT SFC FIRST ROUND/London v Roscommon:LONDON ARE looking to bridge a 33-year gap and claim their first win in the Connacht championship since 1977 when they beat Leitrim by 0-9 to 0-6. It's certainly not beyond them.
Roscommon’s Fergal O’Donnell has named his strongest side, with Karol Mannion back from injury, and under-21 star Donie Shine at full forward.
Roscommon got a real fright on their last visit to Ruislip in 2005 when they won by 0-12 to 1-8.
London’s challenge is led by Conor Beirne, who will captain the team against his native county.
The team includes ex-Galway players Eamon Ó Cuiv at full back and Paul Geraghty at midfield, and Roscommon will want to be at their sharpest to claim the spoils.
LONDON: E Byrne; D Conlon, E O Cuiv, B Comer; J Niblock, C Beirne (captain), N Tuohy; P Geraghty, S McVeigh; B Smyth, D Hayden, C McAllion; K Phair, D Horan, E O’Neil.
ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; S McDermott, P Domican, S Ormsby; S Purcell, C Dineen, M OCarroll; M Finneran, K Mannion; D Keenan, P Garvey, C Cregg; J Rogers, D Shine, G Heneghan.
Referee: C Reilly (Meath).
