Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ROSSIES BEWARE INSISTS EX-DUB
Dublin v Roscommon Croke Pk, 3.30pm
FORMER Dublin midfielder Ross McConnell predicts there will be “no let up” against Roscommon despite the Blues already being through to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Dublin can afford to lose their final Super 8s game, as unlikely as that is, and still qualify for next Saturday’s semi-final as group winners.
That means boss Jim Gavin is free to experiment, though 2011 All-Ireland medallist McConnell believes their fringe players will still be going all out to impress.
A good performance from them could be enough to retain the jersey for the semi-finals and McConnell said it “doesn’t bode too well for Roscommon” who are struggling to avoid three straight losses.
McConnell said: “Certainly from Dublin’s side of things you’ve seen the ferocity that they played with against Tyrone, there’s going to be no let up there. There’s guys getting in there, they want to take their chance. That’s the luxury Jim Gavin has at the moment.
“Dublin seem to have the most strength in depth out there at the moment.”
EAMONN FITZMAURICE stood down as Kerry boss last night after the Kingdom failed to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals.
His side beat Kildare 3-25 to 2-16 but Monaghan’s 0-16 to 0-8 victory in Galway meant the Ulstermen topped Group 1 with the Tribe finishing runners-up.
Fitzmaurice leaves his post after six years in the job.
Malachy O’Rourke’s Monaghan now meet the winners of today’s Tyrone versus Donegal clash next weekend while Dublin await in the last four for Galway.