London eye upset

CONNACHT SFC FIRST ROUND/London v Roscommon: LONDON ARE looking to bridge a 33-year gap and claim their first win in the Connacht…

CONNACHT SFC FIRST ROUND/London v Roscommon:LONDON ARE looking to bridge a 33-year gap and claim their first win in the Connacht championship since 1977 when they beat Leitrim by 0-9 to 0-6. It's certainly not beyond them.

Roscommon’s Fergal O’Donnell has named his strongest side, with Karol Mannion back from injury, and under-21 star Donie Shine at full forward.

Roscommon got a real fright on their last visit to Ruislip in 2005 when they won by 0-12 to 1-8.

London’s challenge is led by Conor Beirne, who will captain the team against his native county.

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The team includes ex-Galway players Eamon Ó Cuiv at full back and Paul Geraghty at midfield, and Roscommon will want to be at their sharpest to claim the spoils.

LONDON: E Byrne; D Conlon, E O Cuiv, B Comer; J Niblock, C Beirne (captain), N Tuohy; P Geraghty, S McVeigh; B Smyth, D Hayden, C McAllion; K Phair, D Horan, E O’Neil.

ROSCOMMON: G Claffey; S McDermott, P Domican, S Ormsby; S Purcell, C Dineen, M OCarroll; M Finneran, K Mannion; D Keenan, P Garvey, C Cregg; J Rogers, D Shine, G Heneghan.

Referee: C Reilly (Meath).

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics