Rossies face Sligo with Connacht U21 title at stake

FOR the third successive year, Roscommon's under-21 footballers are preparing for a winner-takes-all provincial decider, as they get ready to do battle against Sligo in Saturday's Cadbury Connacht U21 FC final at Dr Hyde Park (6pm). Roscommon, under the management of former senior star Nigel Dineen, defeated Mayo in a tense semi-final at Kiltoom two weeks ago, when a second-half goal from Boyle's Donal Smith proved crucial to a 1-11 to 0-10 victory. The meeting of Roscommon and Sligo is a repeat of the 2010 provincial decider, when the Rossies triumphed (1-6 to 0-4), and manager Dineen - who is capably supported by David Casey, Basil Mannion (St Brigid's), Denis Gavin (Clann na nGael) and Eddie Lohan - believes Roscommon face a very tough test on Saturday. "We're very much looking forward to the occasion. Playing for a Connacht title at Dr Hyde Park is a great experience for our lads, but we're looking to get the right result at the end of the game. It's one thing contesting finals, but you don't want to be coming out of them on the wrong side of the scoreline," Dineen said. "Sligo will be very tough to play against. I saw them beat Leitrim in the semi-finals, and they went about the job very professionally that day. They worked very hard as a team and were really up for the battle. It will be the very same on Saturday, and as we've reached four of the last five Connacht under-21 finals, we're there to be shot at. Sligo will be gunning for us, and we have to be ready for an ambush. But we're in good shape, the training has been going well since the semi-final, and everybody is up for the game," said Dineen. The Roscommon team is heavily influenced by the South Roscommon area, with St Dominic's goalkeeper Naos Connaughton ably protected by an all-South Roscommon full-back line of Ronan Stack (St Brigid's), Cathal Duignan (Clann na nGael) and David Murray (Padraig Pearses). The Daly brothers from Padraig Pearses, Conor and Niall, will also be important figures on Saturday, with Niall Daly proving crucial to the semi-final win at midfield. He formed a formidable partnership with Fintan Kelly (Castlerea St Kevin's) against Mayo, with Kelly also making a vital goal-line clearance in the first half. Clann's Cathal Shine was also introduced as a substitute against Mayo, and will be pushing hard for a start. Other important players for Roscommon include captain Paddy Brogan (Strokestown), Ciaran Cafferky (Western Gaels), and attackers Darren Clabby (Kilbride), Colin Compton (Strokestown) and the aforementioned Donal Smith (Boyle). Roscommon Gaels' Scott Oates, who made a great impact when introduced from the bench against Mayo, could also be in the management's thoughts when it comes to picking a starting team. Interestingly, there was actually a total of 11 clubs from the county represented on the semi-final team, with Padraig Pearses boasting the highest representation (three). Dineen told the Westmeath Independent he was "delighted" with the semi-final performance against Mayo, but emphasised the need for a similar effort against Sligo. "The game against Mayo was very tight for long periods, and we really only established a bit of daylight late on, after Donal Smith's goal. It's going to take another brilliant display against Sligo because they're going to be up for it," said Dineen. At time of print, Roscommon reported no injury worries, and Dineen said he's delighted to have a clean bill of health heading into such an important game. Roscommon have won the Connacht under-21 title on six occasions, the first of which came in 1966. They've reached five of the last eight finals, and won the JJ Fahy Cup in 2010. However, they were denied by Galway in last year's final (1-10 to 0-4) and the Tribesmen went on to win the All-Ireland title. Sligo, who have yet to win the title, reached both the 2009 and 2010 finals, but were beaten by Mayo in 2009, and then Roscommon the following year. Prior to that, the Yeats County's last appearance in the under-21 decider was in 2001, when they lost by eight points to Mayo. Dineen said: "Some people suggest you've the Connacht title in the bag if you get rid of Galway or Mayo, but I certainly don't feel that way, and Sligo will be determined to get that first title at under-21 level." Meanwhile, Roscommon and Sligo also meet in the final round of fixtures in the Allianz FL Division 3 this weekend, when the sides clash at Markievicz Park on Sunday (2.30pm). The game, however, is something of a dead-rubber, as third-placed Roscommon cannot gain promotion (even with a win), having lost to second-placed Wexford earlier in the campaign, while Sligo are safely lodged in mid-table. Weekend Fixtures Saturday, April 7 Connnacht Minor Football League Roscommon v Galway (4.30pm, Dr Hyde Park). Cadbury Connacht U21 Football Final Roscommon v Sligo (6pm, Dr Hyde Park). Sunday, April 8 Allianz FL Division 3 Sligo v Roscommon (2.30pm, Markievicz Park).