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I tip my hat to both Galway and Roscommon a truly epic Connacht final decided on fine margins. In the end the desire and will to win for Roscommon got them over the line not beating Galway in Hyde Park in the championship since 1990 and not winning Connacht in the hyde since 2001 certainly drove things on in the final ten minutes. To win Connacht Senior,U20 and Minor in the space of two weeks is a fine achievement. Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3961 - 11/05/2026 12:54:20 2672300 Link
Replying To SixtiesKid: "Delighted to see Roscommon up there. Memories of Freyne, Minton et al from the seventies and eighties." I recall Freyne's two 'offside' goals in Salthill '78. There was a Micky Minton, but was he any good? Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4712 - 11/05/2026 14:46:56 2672359 Link
Replying To yew_tree: "Really…you just couldn't come on and say well done without taking a swipe at Mayo who had no involvement in yesterday's game….? We live rent free in some people's minds." You posted some late night ramblings yourself , fairly bitter stuff on the blog last night Belclare98 (Galway) - Posts: 17 - 11/05/2026 16:06:09 2672389 Link
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "I recall Freyne's two 'offside' goals in Salthill '78. There was a Micky Minton, but was he any good?" Mickey Menton was a good footballer. Roscommon gaels clubman I think. Roscommon beat Galway in the Connacht finals of 1977 and 1978. We beat Mayo in the Connacht Finals of 1979 and 1980. Four in a row like yourselves. I don't think Galway should be too downbeat about yesterday. Shane Walsh played well and Comer scored 1.2 when he came on. McDaid and Maher were good also. Ye do need to tighten up at the back .That Galway team needs an All Ireland not another Connacht title. Everybody saw yesterday what the win meant to Roscommon people. Ye have Kildare now and we have Tyrone so we'll see how the All Ireland series goes. Kerry are favourites but Armagh look like a team that will take beating. endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2660 - 11/05/2026 16:47:01 2672411 Link
Congratulations to team and management on a very memorable win on Sunday. It's one of those games that will be talking about in years to come. I think the difference this year is we have forwards with a bit of pace in their legs and defences find that hard to cope with. Too many teams have got used to playing around in circles when they are in an attacking position that defenders just had to shadow them to look like they were doing well. It's much more exciting and more productive when you have a few guys who are prepared to give it a lash and take on their man. Looking forward to the all Ireland series now. Rossieforever (Roscommon) - Posts: 125 - 12/05/2026 09:06:27 2672499 Link
On mature reflection the magnitude of Roscommon win over Galway is beginning to sink in. 8 points down in the first half, to then go ahead by a couple of points in the second half, down by 6 with only about 9 minutes left and finally to win it by 2. What we most pleasing for me was the pace of the game and also to beat a very good and experienced Galway team whose top stars played very well. Cillian Mc Daid was a warrior who drove then on, Shane Walsh kicked great scores over the hour and Comer does what he does when fully fit. But have a look back at the ground that Darragh Henaghan made up on him for that goal,10 - 15 yards. It was that type of hard work from all the players that got Roscommon over the line on Sunday. I have been following Tyrone under age for years and they have some very talented and fit players. They have won four of the last five All Ireland under 20 titles. (2022, 2024, 2025 & 2026). They also brought Armagh to extra time in the championship. We will have to be on the top of our game to win on Sunday week and we certainly owe Tyrone one as they have sickened us over the years at minor/under 20's/ senior. If we beat them we are really going places. Heading down to Thurles tomorrow to support the under 20's in the All Ireland semi final against Kerry. Can we upset the All Ireland bookies favourites Kerry? Mayo were 1/3 for the Connacht final so why not! Best of luck to Cian Smith, his management team and all the panel members. letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 905 - 12/05/2026 10:38:13 2672529 Link
Replying To letsgetgoing: "On mature reflection the magnitude of Roscommon win over Galway is beginning to sink in. 8 points down in the first half, to then go ahead by a couple of points in the second half, down by 6 with only about 9 minutes left and finally to win it by 2. What we most pleasing for me was the pace of the game and also to beat a very good and experienced Galway team whose top stars played very well. Cillian Mc Daid was a warrior who drove then on, Shane Walsh kicked great scores over the hour and Comer does what he does when fully fit. But have a look back at the ground that Darragh Henaghan made up on him for that goal,10 - 15 yards. It was that type of hard work from all the players that got Roscommon over the line on Sunday. I have been following Tyrone under age for years and they have some very talented and fit players. They have won four of the last five All Ireland under 20 titles. (2022, 2024, 2025 & 2026). They also brought Armagh to extra time in the championship. We will have to be on the top of our game to win on Sunday week and we certainly owe Tyrone one as they have sickened us over the years at minor/under 20's/ senior. If we beat them we are really going places. Heading down to Thurles tomorrow to support the under 20's in the All Ireland semi final against Kerry. Can we upset the All Ireland bookies favourites Kerry? Mayo were 1/3 for the Connacht final so why not! Best of luck to Cian Smith, his management team and all the panel members." Tyrone haven't won the 2026 U20 All Ireland title. We're in the U 20 semi final tomorrow night as are Tyrone who play Kildare. Tyrone have won the U 20 All Ireland in the other years you say and it's a serious record for them. They're trying to translate it now in to senior success which isn't always easy. Kerry haven't won an U20/21 All Ireland title since 2008 but it doesn't seem to effect them at senior level. The match against Tyrone is a big test for Roscommon. It'll be hard after the high of the Connacht Final victory but hopefully another big home support will drive the lads forward. These are great days for Roscommon football and I'm loving every minute of it. endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2660 - 12/05/2026 16:53:58 2672649 Link
Replying To endgame: "Tyrone haven't won the 2026 U20 All Ireland title. We're in the U 20 semi final tomorrow night as are Tyrone who play Kildare. Tyrone have won the U 20 All Ireland in the other years you say and it's a serious record for them. They're trying to translate it now in to senior success which isn't always easy. Kerry haven't won an U20/21 All Ireland title since 2008 but it doesn't seem to effect them at senior level. The match against Tyrone is a big test for Roscommon. It'll be hard after the high of the Connacht Final victory but hopefully another big home support will drive the lads forward. These are great days for Roscommon football and I'm loving every minute of it." As a passionate supporter of Galway , i am also excited, as a Connacht person, to look forward to what Roscommon can do in the AI series. Whilst we know in Galway that we a have a chunk of marquee players who will always enter us into discussions re SAM, in reality we dont appear to have the overall pace necessary to seal that deal. Ros on the other hand do. As much as i dont like saying it i think ( unlike 2001) if we were to meet again that ye would take us. Tyrone are a tough test but i think ros will get over the line in, possibly, a different style to the last 2 games as ye wont be facing as leaky a defence as Mayo or Galway. The other thing i like about all 3 roscommon teams is the goal hungriness. All 3 finals were won by registering less points than the opposition but by scoring lots more goals, and thats a real threat to any opposition. Best of luck. anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 1072 - 12/05/2026 17:34:20 2672664 Link
The Roscommon published U20 team for the trip to Tipp. Patrick Gaynor - Western Gaels Diarmuid O'Higgins - Clann na nGael Michael Gillooly - Roscommon Gaels Nikita Berzins - Shannon Gaels Keelan Kelly - Pádraig Pearses Eoghan Carthy - Roscommon Gaels Colin Murray - St Ciarans Niall Heneghan - Michael Glaveys Cathal Enright - Elphin Cathal McKeon - Boyle Dean Casey - Ballinameen Eoin Collins - St Croans John Curran - Castlerea St Kevins Charlie O'Carroll - St Brigids John McGuinness - Roscommon Gaels Subs Mark Carroll - Kilmore, Conor Grogan - Roscommon Gaels, Rory Coyle St Aidans. Kevin Hester - Castlerea St Kevins, Ruairi Kicline - St Dominic's,Stephen Tighe - Strokestown, Liam Finneran Castlerea St Kevins, David Higgins - Western Gaels. Declan Kennedy - Shannon Gaels The very best of luck to Cian Smith his management and all Roscommon players in Semple Stadium tomorrow night against Kerry. The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4370 - 12/05/2026 20:38:06 2672691 Link
What a weekend just coming right today after a late night in roscommon town. I'm to old for that craic anymore. This roscommon team are different the pace power and bottle they have is brilliant. I'm not saying we will go beat Tyrone or reach a semi final but we are on the right road with this young team and a few very exciting player coming up from the U20s next year especially Carty and Henaghan them two look ready to step into senior football. Roscommon football is in a healthy place and I'm hearing they are expecting another sell out Sunday week when Tyrone come to town. I think we will all look forward to the Hyde rocking again and hopefully good weather. We are well able to beat Tyrone but it's going to take a massive effort. Tyrone imo are a top 6 team when they have a full pick. What they have been doing at underage is outrageous so we need to be at our best to get a win. Best of luck to the u20s tonight dave1988 (Roscommon) - Posts: 1412 - 13/05/2026 11:15:36 2672751 Link
Best of luck tobunderc20s tonight. Mad outsiders but with all the good things happening in the Ros football world these few weeks...... Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 555 - 13/05/2026 12:44:11 2672771 Link
Just not right that this under 20 ALL IRELAND SEMI FINAL is being played at 7.30 tonight in Thurles from both a player and supporters perspective. With about 60 players involved and the majority of them being full time third level students, do the Gaa not take into consideration that it is exam time and many third level exams are on today or tomorrow Thursday. This match should have been played last Saturday and if Kerry were not happy with that, then play it next Saturday in Tullamore or Portlaoise. As many of both teams are students in Dublin or based in Dublin, why not even play it before the Leinster final between Dublin and Westmeath on Sunday. It would attract a bigger crowd and get some fans into the stadium earlier. letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 905 - 13/05/2026 13:13:13 2672779 Link
Best of luck to Cian Smith and our U20 team tonight. With the battling qualities you have showed so far anything is possible. Rossieforever (Roscommon) - Posts: 125 - 13/05/2026 13:37:21 2672787 Link
Replying To letsgetgoing: "Just not right that this under 20 ALL IRELAND SEMI FINAL is being played at 7.30 tonight in Thurles from both a player and supporters perspective. With about 60 players involved and the majority of them being full time third level students, do the Gaa not take into consideration that it is exam time and many third level exams are on today or tomorrow Thursday. This match should have been played last Saturday and if Kerry were not happy with that, then play it next Saturday in Tullamore or Portlaoise. As many of both teams are students in Dublin or based in Dublin, why not even play it before the Leinster final between Dublin and Westmeath on Sunday. It would attract a bigger crowd and get some fans into the stadium earlier." Here in the arch bar in thirles and ya wouldn't know there is a game on in an hour and a half. Few rossies here and haven't seen a Kerry person. 7:30 on a Wednesday evening is ridiculous for both set of supporters dave1988 (Roscommon) - Posts: 1412 - 13/05/2026 18:00:40 2672842 Link
Replying To letsgetgoing: "Just not right that this under 20 ALL IRELAND SEMI FINAL is being played at 7.30 tonight in Thurles from both a player and supporters perspective. With about 60 players involved and the majority of them being full time third level students, do the Gaa not take into consideration that it is exam time and many third level exams are on today or tomorrow Thursday. This match should have been played last Saturday and if Kerry were not happy with that, then play it next Saturday in Tullamore or Portlaoise. As many of both teams are students in Dublin or based in Dublin, why not even play it before the Leinster final between Dublin and Westmeath on Sunday. It would attract a bigger crowd and get some fans into the stadium earlier." Same with other semi final, why could both not be played this Saturday as double header in Tullamore. There was no chance of a lot of people heading to Cavan tonight. Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2669 - 13/05/2026 21:50:59 2672870 Link
Unfortunately the journey has ended for u20s but they have been brillant. Nobody gave them a chance in connacht and could have won it this evening in the last minute before extra time. Kerry a top quality opponent seemed to manage the conditions better for first 50 minutes. Roscommon eventually got going and pulled back a 7 point lead. I think their legs went at tge end of extra time. Well done to the players cian smith and his management team. Charliepace (Donegal) - Posts: 37 - 13/05/2026 23:30:10 2672885 Link
Replying To dave1988: "Here in the arch bar in thirles and ya wouldn't know there is a game on in an hour and a half. Few rossies here and haven't seen a Kerry person. 7:30 on a Wednesday evening is ridiculous for both set of supporters" In fairness Dave a good few Roscommon supporters arrived at the ground and outnumbered the Kerry supporters by about 7/1. The team did not really do themselves justice on the night and the turnovers in the first half really killed them. It had to be said that Kerry looked a bigger and well conditioned team and their tackling technique and strength really paid off. O'Shea obviously had them well drilled in pushing things to the legal limit in that regard. They also had some outstanding players in Kirby, Lane, Kennedy and their center half back (?) But fair play to the Roscommon team for giving it their all and in scoring the last seven points to bring the match to extra time. They could even have won it with one of the last plays of the match in normal time, They gave in everything and that's all you can ask of them. The same could be said of the Roscommon supporters. Kerry were the best team on the night and deserved their win. The best of luck to them in the final against Tyrone. Surely they won't play the final at 7.30pm again on a Wednesday night as it is a long drive between Cahersiveen and Strabane. (488km). letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 905 - 14/05/2026 08:24:58 2672892 Link
I didn't see either game but just my 2 cents…I believe the GAA have made a balls of both the minor (u17) and u20 championships. They used to be great competitions. Some blame the regrading and it probably has a part to play but it's the schedule for me. Taking the minor finals out of All Ireland final day and the madness that was yesterday evening. It's all rushers it almost like the GAA don't want them played. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 12081 - 14/05/2026 10:50:17 2672917 Link
Replying To yew_tree: "I didn't see either game but just my 2 cents…I believe the GAA have made a balls of both the minor (u17) and u20 championships. They used to be great competitions. Some blame the regrading and it probably has a part to play but it's the schedule for me. Taking the minor finals out of All Ireland final day and the madness that was yesterday evening. It's all rushers it almost like the GAA don't want them played." Only 10% voted to return Minor AI Final to curtain raiser for Senior Final. Why though is Connacht MFC ending 8th May 4 weeks before AI Quarter Final? Meanwhile the Ulster opponents playing over the next few weeks while Connacht lads get bored nland stale training. Not to be for u 20s. Limited squad did very well to win Connacht and almost sneaked it last night at the end of normal time. Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 555 - 14/05/2026 11:37:48 2672929 Link
For some bizzare reason the mods didn't publish my after match comments. Take two.. A great journey has come to an end against a strong Kerry who will take some beating in the final. Our fight back from 7 points behind in normal time to bring the game into extra time was once more the pure grit and character of this team on display and but for a last ditch tackle we would have won 0-12 to 0-11 Extra time caught up on our legs and how much the ultra competitive Connacht championship took out of us. Kerry in comparison had two less games and two was strolls past Clare,Waterford. The manner that we conceded those three goals in 5 minutes was frustrating and Eoghan Carthy off injured during that spell was a huge blow. Thanks to all the players and management for the time and effort put in and winning Connacht against the odds. The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4370 - 14/05/2026 12:05:21 2672935 Link