High profile coach joins Roscommon backroom team

Steven Poacher has joined the Roscommon senior football coaching team for the 2021 season.

The Down man worked with the Carlow footballers for three years, from 2017 to 2019, alongside former manager Turlough O'Brien.

Poacher and O'Brien combined to significantly improve Carlow's fortunes and, in 2017, the Barrowsiders won three games in a single championship season for the first time in 73 years.

In 2018, Carlow secured promotion from Division 4 of the Allianz Football League and achieved a famous win over Kildare in the Leinster championship.

Some observers were not impressed by what they viewed as Carlow's defensive tactics, but Poacher always robustly defended their approach.

A native of Newry, Poacher is a highly-rated coach who will bring a huge amount of experience to Anthony Cunningham's backroom team.

"I am delighted to welcome Steven on board and we look forward to working with him to strengthen our team in 2021," said Cunningham.

Also joining in the Roscommon set-up is Gary Flannery, a strength & conditioning specialist with an in-depth knowledge of exercise physiology, human anatomy, bio-mechanics and athletic performance.

Under the management of Cunningham, Roscommon won the Connacht title in 2019 and, in the straight knockout championship of 2020, they were eliminated by eventual All-Ireland finalists Mayo.

In the regionalised 2021 Allianz Football League, Roscommon are set to compete in Division 1 South alongside All-Ireland champions Dublin, Kerry and Galway.