Everything clicks for O'Donnell's charges

FERGAL O’DONNELL beamed from ear to ear. Four years after the affable Roscommon man guided a stylish minor team to a surprise All-Ireland win, he has masterminded another excellent day for his county.

O’Donnell was captain when Roscommon won this championship nine years ago. He has a habit of making big days count, something he alluded to when he considered what was a perfect afternoon for the underdogs.

“When Sligo got on a roll there they had huge support and it looked like they would go on and win it or get a replay. And being honest, if it went to a replay we would have struggled because this was our day, it was set up nicely for us, we were in under the radar and this was the day to do it. I have learned that with the few successes I have had – and we had a lot more disappointments playing for Roscommon.

“When you get your chance, you have to take it. And we don’t mind when you are the Wimbledon of Connacht. We are delighted to have the Nestor Cup.”

What O’Donnell achieved with Roscommon since their league campaign ended has been little short of a metamorphosis. A few challenge matches – Clare, Limerick, a Dublin development team – got them going.

After that, it was just tough training and gradual improvement. What happened here was just one of those things. Roscommon got the feeling.

“There was huge belief in the dressingroom for some reason today and I felt it out on the pitch,” said Michael Finneran, shouting to be heard in the tunnel.

“Even when they tied the game, I could just picture us going up the pitch to get the winning point. I cannot explain it. Everyone on the pitch gave everything. We are nine years waiting for this and it is unbelievable.”

Kevin Walsh’s crestfallen face bore testimony to that. The big Galway man was sickened by what represents the first major setback of his managerial career. Roscommon were admirable here but Sligo failed to do business as expected.

“We blame ourselves,” Walsh admitted. “The first half was just pathetic stuff around the middle area. I am not blaming the two lads in the middle, the whole middle eight didn’t seem to be as quick on the ball as they have been.

Having said that we got two quick points before half-time and got into the ball game. Very disappointed after we drew back level and we kind of owned the second half there and so it is very disappointing not to get over the line or at least get another go at it.”

Playing with Galway, Walsh became used to going into Connacht finals as the favourite team. But maybe the strangeness of that position spooked his Sligo players?

“We have worked very hard on that. A certain amount of that does seep in. And we had three big games there and I wonder how much that took out of the lads mentally as well as physically.

“In fairness, they didn’t die out there. They kept coming back and back and a few auld frees as I call them kept Roscommon plugging ahead. It will be tough but playing in Croke Park in a quarter-final is still there for the lads if they want it. The Connacht trophy has gone by the way side.”

Or at least it has gone to Peter Domican’s mantelpiece for the year.