Ryan McCluskey: Issues for 'flat' Roscommon as championship looms

With Roscommon teetering on the brink of relegation from Division 1, Ryan McCluskey worries about their well-being heading into the Connacht championship, given the short time they will have to fine-tune preparations for the latter competition.

Sunday last saw the Rossies fall to their fourth defeat in the top flight of the Allianz League, with Kerry running out six-point winners at Dr Hyde Park. That reverse still leaves the Connacht side second from bottom in the standings. A victory over Derry at Celtic Park is now a must-win in their final game on Sunday next, while hoping that Galway come unstuck on their visit to Kerry.

Despite their spring woes, manager Davy Burke accentuated the positives following the loss to Kerry, telling RTÉ Sport: "I'd much prefer to be where we are than be sitting mid table in Division 2 or top of Division 2 - maybe not getting tested like we were today,"

Giving more expression to where he believes his side are at, Burke added: "I don't think the end result probably reflects the game, but delighted we're seriously moving forward.

"We had a weak enough start [against Kerry] which we need to look at but we're a right good side. When we get our best players on the field, we're as good as any of them. You can see the difference our bench made, Cathal Heneghan, Ultan Harney makes, Ronan Daly makes, Tadhg O'Rourke makes. We haven't had Ben O'Carroll all year. They're coming. Every week they're coming, they're coming, and we'll get there, you know."

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