STRENGTH IN DEPTH IS A MAJOR PLUS FOR ROSSIES

CAPTAIN Conor Devaney says the penny is finally dropping that no one’s place in the Roscommon team is certain.

Kevin Mcstay handed starts to 28 different players over the course of the Rossies’ successful Division Two campaign.

It climaxed with Sunday’s final win over Cavan when Cathal Cregg – normally a first team player – came off the bench for the fourth game running and scored 2-1.

Enda Smith, an All-star nominee last year, came on for the fourth game running too while established duo Niall Mcinerney and Niall Daly were also impact subs.

Skipper Devaney (above) is one of only five players to start all Roscommon’s League games and believes it’s a big change for players used to being guaranteed a start.

Devaney said: “It’s a big shift in mindset for all of us. I know when we’re playing New York or Leitrim in our next competitive game, I won’t be sure what position I’m going to be in, and I won’t be sure whether I’m going to be contributing off the bench or starting.

“I think people realise that’s the way it has to be now. If you look at any team, you have to weigh up the opposition and see if certain personnel would be better off coming off the bench in that game, or not.

“It’s hard to get used to that frame of mind but we are definitely getting there.”