If there is a consensus that the fun's over for Connacht champions Roscommon when they face Galway for the second time this summer at Castlebar this weekend, it's not shared by Tony McManus. The former Roscommon All Star corner forward doesn't think the pendulum has swung Galway's direction since the teams met in the provincial semi-final.
"I wouldn't think it has," he says. "Galway have showed frailties in their matches since. They've built good leads but have struggled to hold them. I don't think they're as confident as before they lost to Roscommon." He identifies the main area in which the team has improved in the current year. "New players have done very well. Paul Noone is an outstanding talent and Francie Grehan has played very well at centre back and greatly improved that sector."
Grehan has been a revelation since his move from the forwards, so impressive that he has been included in the Ireland training panel for the autumn's International Rules series.
"I'd never seen him play there," says McManus. "I don't know why the management did it but it's worked. He's obviously more comfortable facing the ball, is strong and well able to read the game."
Roscommon are one of two provincial champions having to put their reputations on the line against teams they've already beaten this campaign. According to McManus whereas this mightn't be ideal, neither does it detract from the success of football's new championship format.
"If Roscommon get beaten - and I hope they won't, don't think they will - it's still been a success, very good for the GAA. I was at the Westmeath-Mayo match in Hyde Park, summer evening, good atmosphere. Roscommon would have to accept that whatever happens."
Accepting or not, the county must be struck with the irony of a new system permitting the likes of Galway, Derry and Dublin second chances in the very year that Roscommon break their 10-year title drought.
But despite Galway's high-profile battle down the path of redemption, McManus believes the Connacht success keeps the advantage with Roscommon even if the performance in the final against Mayo wasn't exceptional.
"It's a huge load off their shoulders. Guys who hadn't won anything now have a medal.
"I think they'll have improved. If they play the way they did against Galway their potential is enormous. If they play like they did in the provincial final, you wouldn't know. But Mayo are hard to play against."
The GAA has announced that stand and terrace tickets for the Meath/Westmeath All-Ireland football quarter-final in Croke Park on Sunday will go on sale from the ticket office at the rear of the Cusack Stand today and tomorrow from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Tickets for the Dublin-Kerry match in Thurles will be on sale today at the Dublin County Board offices at Parnell Park from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. tomorrow. All tickets for Galway-Roscommon in Castlebar and Derry-Tyrone in Clones have been distributed to county boards.
