Former Offaly forward Nigel Dunne says Sunday’s All-Ireland senior football championship first round clash against Tyrone is the time for Roscommon to “announce themselves”.

Mark Dowd’s side produced a stunning finish to defeat Galway in the Connacht final last Sunday week, with two-pointers from Paul Carey, Daire Cregg and Diarmuid Murtagh crucial as they dethroned the Tribesmen of the Nestor Cup on home turf.

Speaking on the RTE GAA podcast ahead of this weekend’s Round 1 fixtures in the Sam Maguire Cup race, Dunne feels that the Rossies are up to the challenge that they are set to face against the Red Hands.

"This in many ways is bigger than the Connacht final and I feel they have to make an imprint against a big team outside of Connacht,” said the Shamrocks clubman.

"We know that over the last seven or eight years that they are able to beat Mayo and Galway, but can they now go and beat Tyrone when they are expected to?"

He added: "This group of players are up the challenge, in that they have got a mix of everything you need: the variety in their kickouts, a brilliant goalkeeper, brilliant shooters. They are teak-tough and there is a mental side to it. Because they have faltered at this stage so often in terms of getting that big national win and Tyrone are so used at being resilient, winning when they shouldn't win, it does make you believe Tyrone have a massive chance.

"This is the time for Roscommon to announce themselves, maybe not as All-Ireland champions, but there is no reason Roscommon can't make the last four. They have all the quality, it's just the top-six inches."

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