Roscommon manager Davy Burke believes his side are in a great position for the year ahead despite being very close to relegation from from Allianz Football League Division 1.
The Rossies have only one victory to show from their campaign against a now relegated Monaghan side and need a big turnaround in the final round.
Burke’s side need to beat high-flying Derry and hope Galway come unstuck against Kerry.
It was the Kingdom doing damage in Dr Hyde Park today as a late goal by Joe O’Connor sealed a six-point success.
Burke said the display by his players in keeping Kerry close for 70 minutes and the return of some big players gives him room for optimism.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, he said: “I’m disappointed with the result, ultimately, but delighted with some of the performances, delighted with the lads in general.
“I felt we were right in there, we were pushing on for a goal and we probably got done over the top for the goal.
“So I don’t think the end result probably reflects the game, but delighted we’re seriously moving forward.
“We had a weak enough start which we need to look at but we’re a right good side. When we get our best players on the field, we’re as good as any of them. You can see the difference our bench made, Cathal Heneghan, Ultan Harney makes, Ronan Daly makes, Tadhg O’Rourke makes. We haven’t had Ben O’Carroll all year. They’re coming. Every week they’re coming, they’re coming, and we’ll get there, you know.
“You see Paddy Gavin as the young fella from Clan Na Gael coming on now, brilliant. I thought he was excellent there in the second half so we can only get better in all this.
“Cathal Heneghan played very, very little senior football. “We’ll only get better and better. Ronan Daly’s only back after a year and a half in Dubai. You know, we get there. Tadhg O’Rourke just back from an Achilles injury. Week by week by week, another session or a session, they’ll be 100%, you know?”
The depth of squad is pleasing for Burke even if there is concern among supporters about the lack of wins.
With the Connacht Championship draw meaning Roscommon are likely to play Mayo in the semi-final as well as another formidable opponent if they get to the final, Burke’s charges will need to be at their very best if they are to win provincial honours once again.
The Division 1 hardships are much more preferential to being comfortable in the second tier, Burke feels.
He continued: “There’s a really nice squad here, and they’re working very, very hard for us. This is Division 1. You don’t get to be 5% off it. If you’re 5% off it, you get beaten.
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“So we’re learning every week, we’re getting better every week, and I know we’re very, very happy. We’re disappointed with the result, but we’re very, very happy that these boys are knuckling down, and look, we keep going.
“We looked at the league very simply. The last two rounds were nearly going to take on a life of their own compared to their previous five. We looked at this beforehand, you know. It’s all dependent on, you know, we’ll have a bit of momentum after today. We’ve got more minutes into lads, and it’ll also depend on what Derry you’re looking at, you know.
“So this stage of the league can be strange results, but we very much will be going up to Derry, very prepared to win the game. We need two points. I think ourselves and Galway are probably in a match at the minute, so look, that’s it. We’ll be up and Derry next Sunday and we’ll give it our best.
“Once you have the players and the players are responding and you know they’re training hard and the work rate, well that’s it for me. Everything else is only noise you know. I wouldn’t worry too much.
“I’d much prefer to be where we are then be sitting mid table in Division 2 or top of Division 2 – maybe not getting tested like we were today.
“As I said you’re 5% off it today you got exposed. You might fall over the line in some of them games. I’d much prefer to be doing what we’re doing, getting better and learning each week.
“You press Shane Ryan’s kick outs and you don’t do it right maybe he hurts you. We’ve huge learnings as management and as players to take on and we’ll do that.
“But we’re very happy that we’re making progress while being disappointed results you know.”
2024-03-19 13:13:29
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