Roscommon name U-20 team for clash with Sligo

Roscommon will put their Connacht U-20 football title on the line tonight (Wednesday) when they face Sligo in a semi-final clash at Markievicz Park (throw-in 6.30pm).

The Roscommon team to meet Sligo has been named by manager Liam Tully and it contains four players each from county champions Padraig Pearses and St Brigid's. Clann na nGael have two representatives on the starting XV: goalkeeper Darren Quinn and Clonown's Patrick Gavin, who was also on last year's team.

The Rossies memorably won last year’s Connacht crown at this grade and went on to reach the All-Ireland final in which they were defeated by Offaly.

Last year, Roscommon overcame Sligo at the semi-final stage by 4-13 to 2-12 at Dr Hyde Park, before defeating Mayo in the Connacht decider.

Tonight’s game will be a poignant occasion for all involved in Sligo football due to the recent tragic death of talented footballer Red Óg Murphy. Although Red Óg was overage for this year’s Sligo U-20 team, his loss has cast a deep shadow over the entire Sligo GAA community and, no doubt, Red Óg and the Murphy family will be in the thoughts of supporters this evening.

The other semi-final is between Leitrim and Mayo in Carrick-on-Shannon (also this evening at 6.30). Mayo overcame Galway in their quarter-final and many observes will expect a Roscommon v Mayo final.

There is strong representation from the south of the county on the Roscommon panel, with St Brigid’s having six players involved, while Clann na nGael and Padraig Pearses have four each. See below for the Roscommon team to face Sligo and the remainder of the panel.

Roscommon team (v Sligo): Darren Quinn (Clann na nGael); Conor Lohan (Padraig Pearses), Sean Trundle (St Brigid's), Tomás Crean (Creggs); Patrick Gavin (Clann na nGael), Caelim Keogh (Padraig Pearses), Brian O’Hara Duggan (St Brigid's); Oisín Cregg (Boyle), Daire Cregg (Boyle, captain); Jack Tumulty (Padraig Pearses), Cathal Feely (Boyle), Conor Hand (St Brigid's); Ben O’Carroll (St Brigid's), Adam McDermott (Castlerea St Kevin's), Eoin Colleran (Padraig Pearses).

Rest of panel: Bobby Nugent, Michael Sugrue (St Brigid’s); Alan McManus, Josh Lennon (Clann na nGael); Cian Kelly, Mark Watson (St Dominic’s); Darren Gately, Mark Dowd (Creggs); Cormac Regan (Oran); Cian Feely (Kilbride); Eoin Ward (Fuerty); Cian Glennon (St Faithleach’s); Timmy Gibbons (Strokestown); David Farrell (Castlerea St Kevin's); Jamesie Green (Éire Óg); Ronan Garvin (Ballinameen); Gavan Murray (Elphin); Darragh Heneghan (Michael Glavey’s).

EirGrid Connacht U-20 FC semi-finals

(Wednesday, April 13)

Sligo v Roscommon, Markievicz Park, 6.30pm, referee: Thomas Murphy.

Leitrim v Mayo, Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 6.30pm, Ronan Hynes.