Saoirse Wynne: 'We definitely want to be able to compete at that level'

By Cian O'Connell

These are encouraging times for Roscommon Ladies Football.

An All-Ireland Intermediate triumph illustrated Roscommon's potential so Saoirse Wynne acknowledges that the future glimmers with promise.

In May, Leitrim cruised to an emphatic Connacht IFC decider victory over Roscommon, who responded impressively throughout the All-Ireland series.

Lessons were learned following the Leitrim loss according to Wynne. "I think after the Leitrim game in the Connacht final, it was a real eye-opener for us that we were just not enjoying our football," she says.

"So, we just came together as a group after that and decided let's not let another year go by us. I think we always lacked that little bit of belief.

"It was later in the season then, Lloyd Kelly came in and he made a big difference with the group and just really lifted the whole group.

"It was just then when we started getting the results that we got that little bit of belief. I think the majority of the hard work had been done from down through the years with different management and stuff. So, it just all came together nicely then."

Kelly, who has worked with the Galway mens and ladies football set-ups in recent years, brought plenty of innovative ideas. "Yeah, definitely," Wynne responds.

"I think he had such a positive mindset and he was so encouraging. He really knows what he's on about and I think all the girls just loved having him. He made a big difference when he came in then."

Finbar Egan has stepped down as Roscommon since the All-Ireland triumph and Wynne believes an emerging crop of players can contribute at the highest level. "I think it's exciting because it's a fresh start going up to senior and everything," she says.

"The fact that we have such a good underage coming up as well is really exciting with the U16s winning the All-Ireland B. The minor girls just fell short on the All-Ireland A final as well.

"It just goes to show the quality of footballers that are coming along behind us. I know there's a lot of girls in the county at the minute that didn't play this year and hopefully they'll come back next year as well. So yeah, it's exciting for next year."

Out west, Galway and Mayo have competed strongly in the senior ranks so it matters deeply to Roscommon to be in that company again. "We're saying that it's great and it's such an achievement to get up to senior level, but we definitely want to be able to compete at that level," Wynne remarks.

"It's no good just being there for the sake of being there. I'd have confidence in the girls that they'll be well able to compete at that level."