Down-sizing will not stop Rossies

ROSCOMMON are so much like Leicester City. And like the Premier League leaders through the first half of their stirring season, we still expect the Rossies to lose every time they run out onto the pitch to face Division 1 opponents in the National League. They went down, unluckily, on day one to Monaghan in Kiltoom. As small, neat and tidy, — and unremarkable — a ground as you could find in most counties. Since then, in the grander winter homes of Cork and Kerry, Roscommon have decisively taken two serious scalps. Tomorrow they meet Down — and one more win will see them safe in the top division for one more year at least. Just like Claudio Ranieri’s lads in Leicester trying to get to 40 points a month or so ago in order to be sure of avoiding ‘the big drop’. Roscommon, however, have not been helped in their courageous quest by the GAA’s decision not to permit any more games in Kiltoom. With the county HQ, Hyde Park unplayable, Kiltoom is where they wanted to receive Down, but with a capacity of only 2,900 they have been ordered to shift the game to Longford. It is an unhelpful decision. It is also a case of people poking their noses into Roscommon’s business — and team managers Kevin McStay (above) and Fergal O’Donnell have every reason to be fairly incensed. They can still beat a Down side who are struggling and should have half a dozen points to spare. They should also have a small sized celebration tomorrow evening.