When the draw was made I said Kildare in an neutral venue would be tricky the strongest of the 4th seeded teams and a match that Davy Burke wouldn't have wanted. Kildare proved to be more than tricky, they always have that big championship match in them and with the players they have especially how powerfully built and athletic they are they should be doing a lot better than just turning up when written off.

To be honest I was very wary of that match all week, we rarely carry the favourites tag well. Defensively we rightly got a lot of praise this year but yesterday was as poor as we defended since last year. Opened up too easy for the goal and Enda Smith the last man back on the goal scorer. All afternoon we could handle the advanced mark and it was fitting for Kildare that they would win the match with a mark

Kick outs that was good against Galway,Mayo and Dublin but they were wayward against Kildare as they pushed up on us, not doing the same to them was a bit odd. As poor as played it was still a match we should have won, 1-15 scored, 11 wides and another 4 shots that dropped short for every miss it gave Kildare more confidence and energy
Big improvement will be needed now and worrying we looked very leggy for the final quarter yesterday so the tough schedule could be our biggest task to overcome.

I thought among our best performers yesterday was Brian Stack,Eoin McCormack,Dylan Ruane,Cian McKeon and our stand out player Enda smith. Week turnaround will be difficult now and Cork away on a high off the back of beating Mayo by 3 point will be true test to where the minds and bodies are at.

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 3791 - 19/06/2023 09:36:43    2487075

Next week will show how much we have improved mentally. If we can overcome cork it would be great but over the years we don't recover after a defeat like that in 6 days. The fact we looked so tired is my biggest concern right now. We looked like a team just knackered after a long hard year. Hopefully players get plenty of rest and can put in a massive 70 mins next weekend because if we are as slow paced as yesterday cork will run us off the pitch

dave1988 (Roscommon) - Posts: 1092 - 19/06/2023 09:53:21    2487087

Jack L (None) - Posts: 3106 - 19/06/2023 10:10:36    2487098

Very disappointing day out in Tullamore yesterday. Our lads looked rather jaded in last 10 minutes when Kildare upped their game. With the type of game we play that is always a risk on a hot day. Kildare on the other hand kicked passed a lot more and spotted our lack of high fielder particularly in defence. A lot of critics of the forward mark but if you have the players who can get off the ground and win high ball it can be an accet. Cork is a bloody awful journey for the fans. Hope it's fixed for afternoon or early evening because you won't get much accommodation around Cork City this time of year. Not cheap either if you do.
We have a chance if only a slight one as Cork can be inconsistent at the best of times. They do have talent and in John Cleary a manager who knows his stuff but they probably won't rate Roscommon too highly and we could sneak a win.

Rossieforever (Roscommon) - Posts: 85 - 19/06/2023 10:20:54    2487114

TobeaRossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 144 - 19/06/2023 10:31:26    2487121

Very disappointing yesterday and as others have pointed out the tiredness is the most worrying aspect. The confidence of some supporters during the week I found was completely unwarranted, the reality is we have no right to turn up and expect to beat teams like Kildare who on their day have plenty of talented footballers and forwards just as good as ours. Cork next week is the exact same - a 50/50 game.

Changes will have to be made next week. Hopefully Keith Doyle is back in contention. I was mystified with the subs yesterday as to how Cox didn't see any time with D Smith and the 2 Murtaghs not firing. Hughes only getting a couple of minutes at the end when we were crying out for energy was baffling as well. Cregg looked well off the pace when he came on which is another worry.

On next week, Cork have finished their last 3 games very strongly outscoring mayo 1-6 to nil yesterday and that's a concern with how leggy we looked. Kevin Walsh will know us well but there's no reason we can't go there and win. Ultimately this will be the game that defines the year as finishing on two losses in a row to division 2 teams will halt a lot of the momentum that Burke has instilled prior to this.

Primrose_and_blue (Roscommon) - Posts: 68 - 19/06/2023 10:38:53    2487133

Very disappointing but in some ways you were better off coming third in any of the groups than second when you look at how the final games went! I don't think home advantage is massive when it comes to Roscommon anyway. The same old failing of not being able to handle the favourites tag against teams on a similar level to us seemed to raise its head again. You would hope we wouldn't kick 11 wides again the next day. Like analyser says, Kildare always have a performance in them and they needed that win to stay in the championship, and for Glen Ryan to keep his job. I would worry about our fitness levels after a two week break. You constantly hear managers and players saying that regular games with two week intervals is the optimal. Knock out is where you will see where teams are really at and hopefully the team can pick themselves up and get a good result in Cork.

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 846 - 19/06/2023 10:43:22    2487139

Very disappointing yesterday. Not so much with the defeat, that can happen, but as has been said already, the overall performance. I agree we looked like we were really struggling for the last 10/15 mins. In truth we never got near the heights of Dublin/Mayo games. As Davy said maybe some of the media talk had crept into the dressing room. Worryingly we were so exposed to the mark and it was evident from the first few minutes we were going to struggle but we never were able to do anything to address it. Lennon came on, presumably to add height and presence but it didn't stop it. The amount of poor wides to was worrying. Enda nearly bailed us out but to be honest, Kildare fully deserved their win and fair play to them.
Maybe it's a reality check we needed. And finishing 3rd is not much different to 2nd, bar the long trip we have landed ourselves. Cork on a high, good, physical team, away from home..this is where we learn about how far we have come or where we are going. I've no doubt this group will respond and go again. The management will make sure of that. A big point to prove but it's a massive test. Il be happy to come away with a 1 point win! Best of luck to the team, hopefully the 6 days will be enough to recover.

D.Hyde (Roscommon) - Posts: 163 - 19/06/2023 10:48:55    2487143

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 846 - 19/06/2023 10:49:11    2487145

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 846 - 19/06/2023 10:58:16    2487158

Kildare looked hungry yesterday best team won on the day. Hopefully we can get back on track against Cork as the real championship starts now . We looked a Tired team Sunday but were competitive to the end . Best of luck to the team & management next Saturday v cork WE CAN WIN this game ..

Itoldyouso (Roscommon) - Posts: 40 - 19/06/2023 11:00:12    2487162

One further point.. right after Enda equalised, Kildare took a quick kickout while Ciaran Lennon was coming out from the goal, inside the Kildare area. Ref looked at it, paused and then let play continue. Conor Carroll got punished for taking a kickout in first half while a Kildare player was inside the area and ref three ball up? If there was 5 or 6 points in it at the end would ref have allowed it continue? Not saying that lost us the game, and for what it's worth I think it's stupid to punish a goalkeeper for an opponent not getting out in time, any team can slow a game down by leaving a man in there if that's the case. Just curious why one was called and one wasn't?

D.Hyde (Roscommon) - Posts: 163 - 19/06/2023 11:03:54    2487170

dave1988 (Roscommon) - Posts: 1092 - 19/06/2023 11:07:44    2487176

Jack L (None) - Posts: 3106 - 19/06/2023 11:20:51    2487186

letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 546 - 19/06/2023 11:46:26    2487217

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 3791 - 19/06/2023 12:00:28    2487232

D.Hyde (Roscommon) - Posts: 163 - 19/06/2023 12:27:54    2487257

Why do we rarely win the throw-in? The Kildare man won it yesterday unchallenged. Maybe a small thing but it does seem to set the scene

worple (Roscommon) - Posts: 342 - 19/06/2023 13:05:13    2487294

Yesterday was disappointing. We got a little ahead of ourselves when our team drew with the once might Dubs in Croke Park. Maybe the team have felt the pressure of expectation. Still progress has been made and it's Davy Burke's first year. Conor Carroll wasn't as good yesterday but he is developing in to a fine goalkeeper in a position where we have had problems. Enda Smith was outstanding again. As we stand, he's an All Star. What a pity if an early Roscommon exit deprives him of that opportunity because the selections are normally made from teams who compete in the latter stages of the championship . I think Conor Hussey is unlucky to have lost his starting place but Colin Walsh has done okay. Nothing new that we have problems in midfield and Ultan Harney is missed. Eddie Nolan has been poor in all games and I can't see what he contributes at all. Is Shane Cunnane an option here. Keith Doyle is injured. We have had poor wides in most matches but it was fatal yesterday. Don't think Donie Smith should start.Bring him on. I think Conor Cox should have been brought on yesterday. Richard Hughes also should have been introduced so not a great day on the line by management. We might beat Cork but yesterday showed that we won't be serious contenders at the business end of the championship. Yesterday was a really bad day for Connacht football. Sligo hammered and Roscommon, Mayo and Galway all beaten. Might be a while yet before Sam comes west.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2207 - 19/06/2023 13:18:21    2487304

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 846 - 19/06/2023 14:37:31    2487366