Roscommon flying the flag for the West

EXCITING times for Roscommon football followers: National League Division 3 champions after a 1-17 to 0-18 win over Cavan in last Saturday’s final at Croke Park, and looking forward to the All-Ireland U-21 final against Dublin this Saturday, May 3rd at O’Connor Park, Tullamore, at 3.00 o’clock.

For the League final, Roscommon manager John Evans (pictured) rested the U-21s in his panel, and hopes are high that the younger brigade will overcome favourites Dublin and keep the U-21 crown in the West; Galway had it last year.

Kerry man Evans, from Killorglin, said after the seniors’ League, Division 3 victory that it was evidence of 'the rise of Roscommon. They are rising up. It’s wonderful to be in a football county that has so much passion, and they deserve a break.'

He added: 'We knew we were the only Connacht county in the four League finals and that did matter to us.'

Roscommon won the premier NFL title in 1979 but have not had many memorable days outside their own province in the past 35 years.