Roscommon star Enda Smith has endorsed new Rossie boss Mark Dowd!
Dowd was appointed Roscommon manager on Saturday and has received the backing of Smith.
I’m “very happy with that” explained Smith. In “my own time” with the team, this is “the first Roscommon manager I've had.
“Between, John Evans and Anthony (Cunningham) and Davey (Burke) and Kevin McStay, it's the first Roscommon man, so it's great to have Dowdy”.
“We had him at 21s and had a really good year at him in 2015” Smith added.
“His predigree is there, what he's done with teams. With Roscommon Gaels last year, Ballaghaderreen, Strokestown and then with the Roscommon team as well!”
“I can say for myself, I'm delighted to have Dowdy in and really looking forward to getting back to work with him whenever that is”.
Dowd’s appointment is following a trend of managers coming from within their own county. Such as Ger Brennan at Dublin and Dermot McCabe with Cavan.
“Yeah, it seems to be turning that way” explained Smith. “I suppose the proof is in the pudding.
“I think the last All-Ireland winner from outside the county was John O'Mahony in 2001. It makes sense to probably go with someone from your own county if you're looking at it that way.
“From a personal point of view, I'm delighted it's done and dusted early”. It’s a “really good appointment.”
“I’m really looking forward to getting in with Dowdy and whoever he is to come with him”.
Meanwhile, Michael Glavey’s manager Ian Daly has confirmed to Shannonside Sport that he will be part of Mark Dowd’s backroom team.
Daly’s role and the remainder of the backroom team are to be confirmed.
