Connacht SFC final replay
Roscommon v Galway, MacHale Park, Sunday, 3.30
Streamed live: RTE.ie, RTÉ Player and GAAGO
Once Mayo were beaten both of these counties had to revise radically their season's agenda. Galway knew there was no point beating the champions and not following it up whereas Roscommon may have been tempted to view a meeting with the Connacht standard bearers as the opportunity to test themselves, see how they got on in the qualifiers and pore over the notes for next year.
Instead both teams knew that defeat last Sunday would count as a blow to their morale.
That was and remains the context for the much reviled draw in Salthill a week ago. No matter how badly they each wanted to win, neither wanted to risk anything that might have led to a careless defeat.
Roscommon were heading into their first final in six years with a number of young players and short their regular full back, the injured Neil Collins, and so their deployment of a sweeper was no great surprise.
Their opponents have been playing the defensive game for a good bit longer but ironically they were the ones who conceded the only goal.
The rules of replays – which team learns more and which has most room to improve – are harder to interpret in this given the foul conditions and nervousness all around during the draw but it does appear that Galway have more to regret, having led by two in the closing minutes on a day when such a lead had the feel of an investment.
As to who learned the most, the suspicion is that the starting line-outs will be the key to determining that rather than the sides initially named.
Roscommon were also pleased with how unexpectedly well they had coped at centrefield against Tom Flynn, scorer of the vital goal against Mayo, and June Footballer of the Month, Paul Conroy. This was of course helped by the conditions, which persuaded both teams to go predominantly short on the restarts – a tactic which didn't allow Galway to optimise their strength in the area and surprisingly so after half-time with a howling wind at their backs – but nonetheless Niall Daly's performance against the elements in the second-half was impressively influential.
Kevin Walsh’s team weren’t though without their own consolations after losing the late lead. They had started poorly and did well to recover the initiative.
On a day which suited no one, least of all their sprightly forwards, Galway still got a sharp performance from Danny Cummins, who helped himself to three points and the RTÉ Man of the Match award.
The weather should be better on Sunday and this means improvement from both teams. It remains really difficult to call.
Roscommon should have taken more out of the circumstances of the draw and they have the more impressive looking substitute bench.
Galway, however, have room to improve, which primarily concerns their centrefield but there was also more cut to their attack.
More significantly they managed to impose their own system on the match, restricting Roscommon’s opportunities but also finding decent attacking positions at the other end to compile their total.
Their greater practice with this set-up means they will have less difficulty replicating the strategy.
They just about remain favourites.
THE LOWDOWN
Last meeting: A week ago, the counties drew: Galway 0-13, Roscommon 1-10. When they last previously contested a final, in 1998 that too went to a replay, in Dr Hyde Park, which Galway won 1-17 to 0-17 on the way to that year's All-Ireland.
Odds: Galway evens, Roscommon 11/10 and 15/2 the draw.
Injuries: Roscommon's Neil Collins is out for the season but all of the other injuries are clearing up although Ronan Stack and Brian Murtagh won't be considered fit just yet.
Suspension: None
Just the ticket: Stand €30, side-line seating €20. Juveniles €5. Refunds available for students and senior citizens.
Verdict: Galway
Referee: Ciarán Branagan (Down).
