Roscommon team announced as game switched to Pearse Park

The Roscommon v Down Allianz League Division One clash on Sunday has been switched to Pearse Park in Longford.

The move came after Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon, the original venue for the game, was deemed unplayable.

In a statement, Chairman of Roscommon GAA Seamus Sweeney said: “It was with great regret that Roscommon GAA had to give up home advantage in the Allianz league Division One for the Clash with Down. We found ourselves in the situation, where our county ground Hyde Park was unplayable and Croke Park and the CCCC refused to allow us to use our secondary County Ground Kiltoom.'

He said the CCCC were not happy that Kiltoom's restricted capacity could deal with the expected attendance.

Thanking Longford GAA for making their grounds available, Mr Sweeney said: Roscommon GAA intends to redevelop Hyde Park. In this regard our clubs agreed that we install a new playing pitch at Dr Hyde Park. We will close Hyde Park in June and hope to reopen the following summer.

'We also intend developing Hyde Park as per our development plan which will see a total reconstruction of the spectator areas and the addition of much required facilities for players, patrons and officials. We will not be able to start that work immediately as there are planning processes to be addressed. We are working very closely with Croke Park and Connacht Council to ensure that we are in a position to do the job as soon as possible. 

'We look forward to working with our fundraising and commercial arm Club Rossie in ensuring that we have the appropriate finance in place. We are indebted to the supporters of Roscommon GAA and all members of Club Rossie for their continued financial support to Roscommon GAA.'

Meanwhile, the starting 15 for the game has been announced.  There is only one change to the team that started against Cork last weekend where Conor Daly replaces Niall Daly who is still recovering from an injury he picked up on Sunday.  Ciarain Murtagh continues as Captain .

1 Geoffrey Claffey (Castlerea St Kevin’s )

2 Sean McDermott  (Western Gaels )

3 Neil Collins (St Brigid’s Castleknock)

4 Niall McInerney (St Brigids)

5 Conor Daly (Padraig Pearses)

6 Sean Purcell (Boyle)

7 David Murray (Padraig Pearses)

8 Enda Smith (Boyle)

9 Ian Kilbride (St. Brigid’s )

10 Fintan Cregg (Elphin )

11 Ciaran Murtagh (C) (St Faithleachs)

12 Conor Devaney (Kilbride)

13 Cian Connolly (Roscommon Gaels)

14 Senan Kilbride (St. Brigid’s)

15 Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)