A tough test on Shannonside, but Rebels should edge it

I DON’T have the fondest memories of the Gaelic Grounds from my playing days.

We lost a bad National League semi-final there in the mid 80s and suffered a killer defeat in the pouring rain in 1982, when Roscommon won an All-Ireland U21 semi-final with a goal from the last kick of the game.

It’s always struck me as being primarily a hurling pitch, and apart from two years ago when Cork caught Limerick at the end, I don’t think it’s a place where we’ve enjoyed much luck as a county in football.