Published: Wednesday, 10th February, 2010 5:00pm

Ros' selector admits to 'embarrassment' after Cavan collapse

ROSCOMMON selector Declan Hoare admits a certain degree of embarrassment is running through the camp following last Sunday's second-half capitulation against Cavan in their opening National Football League encounter at Dr Hyde Park.

Despite leading by three points after only eight minutes and at one stage developing what seemed a steady five-point cushion, Roscommon were clinically disposed of by the Breffni County after conceding a 47th minute goal and then completely falling asunder.

Roscommon's misery was completed when St Dominic's player Michael Finneran was sent off for a second bookable offence near the end, as the Rossies' ended up on the wrong end of a 2-20 to 1-10 final scoreline.

All in all, it was a pretty disastrous beginning to the league campaign for Roscommon, and they must now pick themselves up for a tricky trip to Fermanagh this coming Saturday (Brewster Park, 7.30pm).

Speaking after last Sunday's loss, Declan Hoare said: "It's very hard to put your finger on that sort of capitulation but it's a big shock to everyone and a bit of an embarrassment, to be honest."

"It's a huge disappointment to fall apart in the manner we did. We put our game-plan into effect and developed a nice lead at one stage, but everything went out the window once we conceded a goal in the 47th minute. That's simply not acceptable and lads need to show a bit of leadership and strength of character in those situations. We completely lost our game-plan, our shape and our spirit. The players lost their focus and stopped doing basic things like tracking runners and tackling. The most basic of errors cost us dearly on the day and it's very worrying when a team like Cavan are ripping you apart like that."

However, Hoare said Roscommon can't afford to feel too sorry for themselves with another big test lying in wait in the shape of Fermanagh.

"Fermanagh only just came down from Division 2 and are a formidable proposition in Enniskillen, but we have to get back on the bicycle quickly and lift ourselves," said Hoare.

"It's a chance for the players to show they're better than the Cavan performance and hopefully we will see a more sustained performance. Fermanagh will be smarting from their opening game defeat (against Offaly), but we need to stand up and believe in ourselves.

This group of players is capable of far better than they showed against Cavan," he added.

With Brian Higgins, Karol Mannion and Senan Kilbride on the long-term injury table, and with Johnny Dunning also nursing an injury, the news last week that Seamus O'Neill and Conor Devaney have made themselves unavailable for selection inflicted a further blow to Roscommon's build-up to the league.

The Rossies' also have an injury doubt over Cathal Cregg for this weekend's clash with Fermanagh.

Hoare said: "There's a bit of fear in the players at the moment, possibly a fear of what to do when seemingly in control of a match, but we need to be more clinical and assured when in a winning position. We simply must improve on the Cavan performance."

New St Dominic's manager

Meanwhile, St Dominic's of Knockcroghery have appointed Darren Owens as their new senior football manager. Owens, was manager of the Garda College's Sigerson Cup team this year, is a native of Portlaoise, but now resides in Athlone. He succeeds Malachy Gately, who was recently installed as manager of Athlone's senior team.

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