Rossies relishing Royal appointment

ALL week we’ve been reading about a virus that had Meath players dropping like skittles at a kiddies’ birthday party.

Everyone in the Royal camp seems to have recovered though, as Eamonn O’Brien is in the happy position of naming the same 15 that hammered Westmeath for this evening’s clash with Roscommon.

The Rossies know all about the debilitating effects of sickness. They have been struggling with their own illness since winning the Connacht title in 2001.

Much of it was self-imposed, with drink-fuelled antics at the root of many of the problems.

Indiscipline amongst the players was matched at executive level and the county board found itself in a state of financial trauma which was very serious indeed.

That situation has improved significantly though but the hammerings on the field haven’t abated.

The county went delirious when Kerry were beaten to win the All-Ireland minor title in a replay three years ago in Ennis and the hopes of the future were immediately laid at this group’s door.

Donie Shine was a hero that day and he did it again last week when kicking nine of his side’s 11 points in the replay defeat of Wexford.

Many other young guns are now firmly ensconced in the team, along with the man who brought them to the Promised Land, Fergus O’Donnell.

That didn’t stop Roscommon receiving another hiding in Connacht, this time at the hands of Mayo. O’Donnell made no bones about his embarrassment afterwards and admitted that his side would probably be better off without having to take part in the qualifiers.

He was certain of it when Ciarán Lyng hit the back of the Roscommon net from the first attack in the drawn game.

“We went a goal down after 20 seconds and if I’m being honest I would’ve said we were better off out of it at that stage,” the manager admits.

Unlike their response to Mayo’s early strikes though, Roscommon showed some battling qualities to secure a draw. Last week’s win has infused them with some much needed belief and while travelling to Navan will be difficult, the thought of a game against Limerick to book a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals isn’t as forbidding as taking on Galway or Kildare might have been.

“It’s amazing, a bit of confidence makes such a difference and we ended up coming through in a game that could’ve gone either way.

“We’re delighted to be still in it. And it’s a great opportunity for the lads to get to play a tough team like Meath now. That’s where you want to be at, but we have to be careful that we’re up for that game now. It’s another level.”

O’Donnell has had his share of injury, and yes, illness, to deal with. David Keenan and Paul Gleeson are definitely ruled out, along with long-term absentees Seamus O’Neill, David Casey and Karl Mannion, while the hamstrung John Nolan remains a major doubt. There are concerns too about Cathal Cregg but team captain Gary Cox is available having missed last week because of the ‘flu.

“Meath only lost to Dublin by two points and we know we’ll be playing a team with serious aspirations of going a long way in the championship. We’re under no illusions and will be going there as underdogs.”