Roscommon minors bid to move a step closer to further glory

AFTER the high of winning the recent Connacht MFC final at a rain-soaked Dr Hyde Park, the county minor footballers have since been returning to the training field and working hard, in anticipation of this Saturday's All-Ireland quarter-final against Armagh at Croke Park (2pm). Last Sunday week, an assured performance saw Roscommon defeat Galway (1-9 to 0-6) to capture the county's first Kilcoyne Cup since 2006, but manager Ross Shannon insists there's more to come from his charges. And what better place to prove it than at GAA headquarters this weekend. "The fact it's on in Croke Park gives the quarter-final extra significance, but our players don't need reminding they're in a very good position. As Connacht champions, we're going to Croke Park to produce a big performance against Armagh, and hopefully reach a semi-final. "The Connacht final is gone now. It's not forgotten about, the boys did brilliantly to win it, but we've been re-focusing lately, and working very hard in training since. This is the next level of the ladder, and we're looking to produce the goods again, and reach the semi-finals," said Shannon. Roscommon were reporting no injury concerns at time of print, and the game has added meaning to the Shannon household. The Roscommon manager's father, Seamus, hails from Co Armagh, while a second-cousin of his is also involved with the Armagh senior football panel. "I suppose my father will be going to the game, and it will probably have extra meaning for him, but my job is to manage Roscommon and get a result, and not allow anything else to impact upon that," said Ross. The Roscommon team which started the Connacht final against Galway contained three players from south Roscommon club Padraig Pearses - all of whom lined out in defence, corner-backs David Murray and Shane Carty and wing-back Conor Daly. Armagh were defeated in the Ulster final by Cavan (0-12 to 1-6), and will no doubt respect the major challenge posed by a highly-rated Roscommon side. To date, Roscommon have produced good performances to see off both Mayo and Galway in the Connacht championship (having defeated New York in their opening game), but Shannon believes Armagh will be a different type of threat. "It's a very tough Armagh outfit and it's going to be fierce hard work to see them off. But we've played well so far, and the work-rate and attitude of the players has been second to none. They haven't basked in the glory of winning Connacht, they're not content with that, and want to progress further," he said. The Roscommon Gaels clubman is big on team performance, and is always loathe to highlight the influence of individuals. And he realises his players can improve certain facets of their game. "There's always things to work upon, things to improve," said Shannon, whose management team includes selector Brian Lennon of St Brigid's. "Things like not conceding as many frees, or giving away cheap possession, they're parts of the game we're always working on. But we also have to realise these lads are very inexperienced and very young. They're far from the finished article in terms of making it as a player, but they're doing well to date. You're always going to get mistakes at this level, but it's how the young lads respond to making mistakes that matters most. We'll encourage them to go out at Croke Park, enjoy the occasion, but also to give it absolutely everything to get a result. It's going to be a big day for Roscommon supporters, who I'm sure will travel in big numbers, and for the players and their families. Hopefully, we'll get the correct result and keep going in the championship," added Ross. Saturday's minor clash will be the curtain-raiser to the Roscommon v Tyrone All-Ireland SFC Round 4 Qualifier match (4pm), which will then be followed by the meeting of Donegal and Kildare (6pm), in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.