LOTS MURTAGH COME FROM ROSSIES CLAIMS CIARAIN

THEY will be playing Division One football next season, but Ciarain Murtagh feels Roscommon couldn’t have been classed as a top tier team if they hadn’t made the Super 8s.

The Rossies edged a fantastic shoot-out against Armagh in Portlaoise on Saturday to book their place in the all-new format, and they’ll get the party started against Tyrone in the first of four games in Croke Park this weekend.

“I know the League games are important as well and we were delighted to get promoted to Division One for the second time in three seasons, but to get into the All-ireland quarterfinals is massive for us.

“If you are not there, you can’t be going around saying you are a top eight side.

“We got there last year as well and we’re going to be playing against the best teams now week-on-week, which is new for everybody.

“You’re going to get to see how good your team is, how good your panel is, so it will great to go to Croke Park and express ourselves up there.”

Heading into a group with Tyrone, Ulster champions Donegal and a Dublin machine chasing a fourth All-ireland title in a row could be daunting. But Murtagh said: “We always wanted to get to the Super 8’s but we are not there to make up the numbers now. Tyrone next week, Donegal the following week and then Dublin... I mean that is what you dream of when you start out playing.”