New rules and rejuvenation are boosting Rossies - Cathal Cregg

Two-time Connacht title winner Cathal Cregg says adapting to the new rules and the rejuvenation of Roscommon's attacking power could set them up for a successful season.

But Cregg is cautious that younger, defensive players need to get more game time in the league to harden them for championship football.

Roscommon have adapted to the new Football Review Committee rules in swashbuckling fashion – they fired 3-21 against Down and shot 1-17 on the road against Louth.

Last year they reached the All-Ireland quarter-final stage with Enda Smith and Diarmuid Murtagh spearheading the attack but over the winter they were boosted by the return of talented forwards like Ciaráin Murtagh, Ben O’Carroll and Cian McKeon.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport in his role as an ambassador for the Electric Ireland Higher Education Championships, Cregg said there was no doubt that his county had the firepower up front, but needed more depth and experience in their rearguard.

"I probably think they have the forwards potentially to win an All-Ireland but whether they’re strong enough in other areas of the field, I suppose that’s to be seen.

"I think defensively they probably need to shore it up a small bit.

"From attacking perspective they’ll be fine, but when a good, attacking team goes at them, that’s the one area I have a question mark over. There are a lot of young players in their defence who need game time in the league.

"So we won’t know until Connacht championship time where we stand - but we have an attacking abundance and it’s good to see them put up a couple of big scores."

Roscommon host top of the table Monaghan on Sunday in what will be another test for their young defenders.

Cregg feels the new rules will provoke another enjoyable, fast-moving game.

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