The highlight of the Roscommon football takes place this weekend when Padraig Pearses and Clann na nGael meet on Sunday.
Here’s five things to look out for in the final.
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Free scoring Clann
Ciarán Lennon was the key player for Clann in the semi-final win over Roscommon Gaels, as he fired 0-7 (3 frees). Lennon is the star full-forward who shoots and scores. However it’s the ball in that makes the man.
If Ultan Harney, Cathal Shine can produce the ball from any angle and target man Lennon is found Pearses could be in for a long afternoon.
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Padraig Pearses fitness
It’s hard to believe that just seven weeks ago the obituaries where being written for Padraig Pearses. A slow start saw them move into the quarter-final play-off.
What it has shown of Pat Flanagan’s side is they can come through the challenge. What has also been seen in the knock-out stages is the strong finishing of Pearses. Like Alex Ferguson used to train Man Utd, pick after March.
Flanagan has trained his Pearses side to peak in October. Will we see Fergie time re-written as Flanagan time.
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Bite and aggro
Two local rivals in a county final, a bit of bite is only natural when these two meet. A county final will no doubt be tasty and in good measure.
Let’s hope there’s not a down pour as we don’t want to see a mud bath and referee Patrick McTiernan will have to be on his toes.
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New comers creating own history
It’s a third final in a row for Pearses champions in 2019, runners-up in 2020 and back for the crown in 2021. They’re not new kids on the block but they’re looking to build a new traditions.
Traditions and winning mentality takes time. Now they have the chance to build it, but in their way is the old dogs of Clann na nGael. New kids versus tradition, the only way to stop tradition is to build your own.
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The return of the king
Clann look to lift the Fahey cup for the 22nd time this Sunday. Victories 19 and 20 were some 19-years apart. It took three years to land number 21 and that was three years ago.
Sport always comes back to the club with great history and while the famine has ended for Clann there is still the remnants of a drought.
Kingdom’s rarely fall and Clann have found their route back to the final, this their third in six years. A victory on Sunday would no doubt confirm their return to the throne.
The Roscommon senior football final Clann na nGael v Padraig Pearses is live on Sunday Sport with coverage starting from 1pm.
