Sweeney's men are primed for Rossies charge

SEAMUS SWEENEY won’t be short on motivation when his New York side take to the field against Roscommon tomorrow in the Bronx (Gaelic Park, 8pm Irish time).

Encouraging results, including the near shock defeat of Galway a year ago, marked his first season as manager and allowed him the opportunity to push his players hard during a brutal winter.

And then, just in time for the arrival of the Division 4 runners-up, GAA president Christy Cooney called into question their presence in the championship.

It was a minor media storm which ruffled feathers on this side of the Atlantic but Sweeney was keen to exonerate Cooney.

“I don’t think he meant it as badly as it was portrayed,” the Donegal native insisted. “It was probably blown out of all proportion. You never know if they (the media) are for you or against you. Our motivation will come from ourselves.”

Sweeney commutes to training from a Philadelphia suburb, a four-hour round-trip which is a level of commitment that is replicated throughout the squad.

Sweeney's father Connie played for Donegal in the 80's while his uncle Anthony Molloy captained them on the way to their breakthrough All-Ireland victory in '92.