Prepared for the unknown

John Maughan feels the backdoor syste m has run its course and suggests rejigging provincial borders, writes Gavin Cummiskey

Roscommon's most recent victory over Galway came in June, 2001. Within a couple of weeks revenge had been exacted in the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Within a couple of months the Tribesmen had reclaimed Sam Maguire for a second time in three years.

Tyrone also tasted redemption via the backdoor in 2005 but it is an avenue that current Roscommon manager John Maughan feels has run its course. Recently he came across a theory that would see the provincial borders rejigged. Not on a boundary commission scale mind, just enough to ensure more competitive championships. The idea is gaining momentum.

"No disrespect to some of the sides we met in the league but we wouldn't have learned an awful lot about ourselves from those matches," said Maughan. "Championship can be a huge leveller. I remember in 1996 coming out of Division Three with Mayo before reaching the All-Ireland final. There was a great intensity about the league back then.

"Unfortunately I believe the backdoor system has changed that. The poor turnout in recent times is a prime example and the championship itself has been disappointing so far this year. The winner-takes-all situations inevitably leads to greater crowd participation and excitement.

"Unfortunately I think the backdoor has run its course. Perhaps widening the provincial system is an option with maybe Westmeath or possibly Clare joining the Connacht championship. Having said that, the championship has been very competitive in Connacht over the last 10 years."

True. The 50th meeting of these sides - it is 27 to 18 in Galway's favour with four draws - should prove no different, especially considering the provincial champions must travel to Hyde Park. With Mayo natives patrolling the line in Maughan and Peter Ford, every part of the west will tune into RTÉ as only 30,000 will be let in the gates.

Just like his period in charge of Mayo, Maughan brought his panel to the famous boxing retreat of the Catskills after playing New York in the opening round of the championship. Like Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson before them, the Roscommon footballers sweated blood at high altitude.

"The Catskills was a huge benefit in terms of morale but the weather was terrible," said Maughan of the recent pilgrimage to Cus D'Amato country. "Most of the lads had never been to New York before and some had never even been on a plane so it was a great experience. Training wise, we got to work on a few bits and pieces too."

Whether this will be enough to topple one of the leading title contenders is another matter but at least Maughan and Roscommon football in general will know where they stand come Sunday evening.

"Galway sparkled in the latter stages of the National League, besides the last 15 minutes against Kerry in the final. They have a physical centrefield and arguably the best forward line in the business. Add an experienced defence into that mixture and on paper they have a better team that Roscommon.

"What is so exciting about this game, though, is we don't know where we are. Galway are the benchmark for us as after a season playing Division Two football we can now match ourselves against one of the strongest Division One sides. That will be difficult but a great lesson for the future of Roscommon football."

Team captain Stephen Lohan has failed to recover from injury and must be content with a substitute role but Karol Mannion returns after missing the New York game with a broken finger. There is also a championship debut for goalkeeper Geoffrey Claffey, who missed the US trip because of exams. He sees off the challenge of Darren Lennon.

The other changes see David Hoey and John Tiernan remove Enda Kenny and Seán Foley from of the forward line.

ROSCOMMON (SF v Galway): G Claffey; S McDermott, D Casey, P O'Connor; S Daly, J Nolan, R Dooner; S O'Neill, B Mullin; M Finneran, G Heneghan, D Hoey; J Tiernan, K Mannion, G Lohan.