Murray and Hand looking forward to another derby battle

Speaking about his side’s incredible 5-22 to 2-27 extra-time win over Boyle in last Saturday's Roscommon SFC semi-final, Pádraig Pearses manager Niall Murray said it was “a privilege to be part of a game like that”.

“We’re delighted to come through it. You do what you can on the sideline to tweak little things to try and give the players the best matchups and the best help that you can, but this is all about the players, and the players stepped up with a performance that we’re really proud of,” said Murray.

Looking ahead to Sunday week's final against local rivals St Brigid's, Murray said: “Brigid’s are obviously favourites going forward. They are a team that can score heavily and quickly, and they are very structured defensively so we have plenty of work to do to prepare ourselves for another final, but this is the challenge facing our men and I know they will embrace it,” he said.

Pearses have been scoring well too, and their efficiency has been particularly eye-catching, with just three wides across their last two games, both of which extended out to 80 minutes. Some would argue that such incredible shooting, with 8-39 scored in that time, is bordering on unsustainable, but Murray takes a different view.

“We see that as a testament to the work that the lads are doing, and how they’re demonstrating their skills, and their decision-making ability. Every game is different and there won’t be anything easy given to us in the final, but of course you’d be happy to see your team come through a test like we got from Boyle, and it sets up a fantastic final,” he added.

Meanwhile, St Brigid’s star Conor Hand said there was never a question of diverting too far from their plotted course even when Strokestown went four points ahead in last Sunday’s Roscommon SFC semi-final.

“We’ve experienced a lot of situations and learned a lot of lessons over the past couple of years, and one of those to just do the simple things and work your way back into games, not to panic,” said Hand afterwards, when standing in the persistent drizzle at Dr Hyde Park.

“Four points isn’t a lot under these new rules; the secret was to focus on working ourselves back into the game one point at a time, and to go in at half-time a point up was huge.”

While St Brigid’s will be the narrow favourites for the final on the basis that the Roscommon and Connacht championships belong to them until someone beats them in a knockout game, Hand is relishing the prospect of another battle with neighbours Pádraig Pearses in Sunday week’s final.

“To be in a county final, no matter who it is, is the dream. Over the last four or five years the real rivalry has been ourselves and Pearses. It’s 50/50 who has won the most games, there was a drawn game and there’s always great excitement, which is what you want.

“Then whoever wins the next day, it sets you up to go on further, which is brilliant. You want a test, winning by ten points doesn’t stand to you the next day but with the likes of Pearses, we push them on and they push us on, which is great.”