TEAM NEWS:SUNDAY MARKS a sort of changing of the guard in Connacht football – a first provincial final since 1947 without the presence of Galway or Mayo. Step up Roscommon and Sligo, who meet in Castlebar in a repeat of that novel pairing 63 years ago, which Roscommon won.
Fittingly enough, Roscommon have announced an unchanged team from their semi-final over Leitrim on June 20th, as they look to secure a first Connacht title since 2001, when current manager Fergal O’Donnell captained the side from midfield in a dramatic win over Mayo.
Jonathan Dunning is the only survivor from that 2001 Roscommon squad and he will be among the substitutes. Enda Kenny also returns to the panel after missing the London and Leitrim games through injury, and Fintan Cregg, a regular last season, returns to the bench after missing the early part of the season through injury.
Roscommon didn’t enjoy the most emphatic win over Leitrim, progressing by 1-13 to 0-11, although O’Donnell has resisted the temptation for change, keeping David O’Gara and Kevin Higgins, who made substitute appearances in the second half, as options for Sunday. Under-21 standout Donie Shine will again front the attack: his 1-7 score in the semi-final reflected his key role.
Elsewhere, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín has ruled himself out of the Cork team for Saturday’s Munster hurling final replay against Waterford after suffering a hamstring injury in last Sunday’s draw in Thurles. Ó hAilpín sustained the injury shortly after half-time, and was replaced by Ray Ryan, who looks set to start in the half-back role on Saturday.
Fears that Niall McCarthy might also miss the game due to a finger injury have been allayed; the suspected broken finger turned out to be nothing more than bruising. Jerry O’Connor is a doubt after retiring early the last day.
Justin McCarthy will have to reapply for the position of Limerick hurling manager, if he wishes to go forward for a third year in charge.
The Limerick County Board have appointed a three-man committee to recommend the management team for 2011, consisting of former Limerick playing stars Paudie Fitzmaurice and Damien Quigley, along with Dairygold chief executive Jim Woulfe.
The Cavan county board last night confirmed that Tom Carr has stepped down as manager following the 18-point loss to Cork.
ROSCOMMON (SF v Sligo):G Claffey; S McDermott, P Domican (captain), S Ormsby; S Purcell, C Dineen, D Casey; M Finneran, K Mannion; D Keenan, P Garvey, C Cregg; J Rogers, D Shine, G Heneghan.
