Roscommon and Galway name teams for Connacht decider
Roscommon and Galway have named their teams for this Sunday's Connacht SFC final at King and Moffatt Dr Hyde Park (throw-in 4.15pm).
Considering Roscommon's impressive win over Mayo in their semi-final, it comes as no surprise to see that Mark Dowd has selected an unchanged starting XV.
Indeed, the most notable feature of the match-day squad is the return of St Brigid's stars Brian Stack and Ruaidhrí Fallon, both of whom are listed among the substitutes.
A bench featuring plenty of valuable options also includes Daire Cregg, who missed the Mayo match through suspension after being sent off against New York at Gaelic Park.
In addition to the panel of 26, four standby players have been listed: Ultan Harney, Pearse Frost, Eoin Colleran and Oisin Cregg.
Meanwhile, Sean Kelly, Jack Glynn, Daniel O’Flaherty and Shane Walsh all come into the Galway team named by Pádraic Joyce.
The Connacht SFC final will be televised live on RTE, with Sean Hurson of Tyrone named as referee for the provincial showpiece.
Roscommon are bidding for their first Connacht senior title since 2019 and their 25th in total. For their part, Galway are aiming for a fifth Connacht crown in a row and their 52nd in all.
The last Connacht final between Roscommon and Galway was in 2022 when the Tribesmen won by 2-19 to 2-16 at Pearse Stadium.
Roscommon are captained by Diarmuid Murtagh, who will be hoping to lift the Nestor Cup after playing a pivotal role in the win over Mayo.
Roscommon team (vs Galway): Conor Carroll; Patrick Gavin, Caelim Keogh, Eoin McCormack; Eoin Ward, Ronan Daly, Senan Lambe; Keith Doyle, Conor Ryan; Dylan Ruane, Enda Smith, Darragh Heneghan; Diarmuid Murtagh, Colm Neary, Robert Heneghan. Subs: Aaron Brady, Niall Higgins, Robbie Dolan, Ruaidhrí Fallon, Brian Stack, Jack Duggan, Shane Cunnane, Daire Cregg, Paul Carey, Conor Hand, Cian McKeon. Standby players: Pearse Frost, Eoin Colleran, Ultan Harney, Oisin Cregg.
Galway team (vs Roscommon): Conor Flaherty; Johnny McGrath, Sean Kelly, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Daniel Ó Flaherty, Cillian McDaid, Cein D'Arcy; Robert Finnerty, Shane Walsh, Liam Ó Conghaile. Subs: Connor Gleeson, Brian Cogger, Kieran Molloy, Séan Mulkerrin, Cian Hernon, Ryan Roche, Matthew Tierney, Finnian Ó Laoi, Ciaran Mulhearn, Shane McGrath, Damien Comer. Standby players: Oisín Mac Donncha, Maitias Bairéid, Connor Carson, Patrick Egan.