Fergie O’Donnell blames Roscommon stage-fright

Roscommon joint-manager Fergie O’Donnell figured the team were daunted by the opposition and occasion yesterday.

“The breeze was quite strong in the first half. Coming out of defence, we kept turning back. I don’t know why that is — it wasn’t as if Kerry pinned us back. I thought maybe we were a little bit in awe of them. I think we may have got a bit of stage-fright out there.

“Our performance was disappointing but you couldn’t but be impressed. Their midfield pairing of Donaghy and Moran — the way they covered the ground. The likes of Marc Ó Sé, he’s so definite in the way he comes out with the ball compared to the way we came out. He knew what he was about. These guys have All Stars, All-Irelands.