Shine expects Dowd to be a Roscommon success story

By Cian O'Connell

Donie Shine expects new Roscommon manager Mark Dowd to make a significant mark at senior inter-county level.

Part of Roscommon's All-Ireland minor winning team in 2006 and Connacht SFC triumph in 2010, Shine worked under Dowd, who was part of Fergal O'Donnell's coaching set-up. "Mark was very much to the forefront in all the set-ups," Shine says.

"Obviously, he was with Fergal in 2006 with the minors and from 2009 onwards with Roscommon and we won it in 2010. Mark was a selector there. He would have worked one-on-one with me most evenings of the week, free-taking drills and stuff like that. That was a part of his role.

"I always remember him being very thorough, very direct, a very, very good fella. I was very glad to see him get the job in Roscommon."

Dowd has enjoyed successful stints in charge of different club and underage county teams. "He's obviously got a really good record outside of just the times he's been with Fergal O'Donnell," Shine adds.

"He won a county title with Ballaghaderreen as well. He was involved with Strokestown a couple of years ago. He was with the minors himself for a few years.

"They were unlucky against Donegal, up in Sligo I think. So, he has got loads of experience, he'd know all the players very well. He's a very proud Roscommon man as well. I'd fancy him to do a really good job. I think Mark's a great guy for the job."

Shine isn't concerned where a manager is from. “You would hear that said around the place, that it would be good to have a local person or a Roscommon man, I wouldn't really buy into that," Shine says. "I think you get the best person for the job and it's as simple as that.

“I've had primarily Fergal O'Donnell in the years we've had success. "I was with Kevin McStay and Fergal O'Donnell in 2016 as well. We had John Evans, who was excellent.

"They all brought different things to the table and they all had their own ideas about how we should play. I suppose I wouldn't side either way in terms of inside or outside manager.

"Once the manager is coming with high standards and a good structure for preparation, that's all I really ever wanted - to make sure we were doing as much as possible, that we could achieve and win games. For me, it doesn't make a difference whether inside or out once they're doing the job to a high standard.

“Now Mark Dowd, I think, was the best candidate either way. The fact that he's a Roscommon man just adds to it, that he's a passionate Roscommon man. But he has a good record and he was probably the best person available and the guy who wanted the job. I think he was a really good choice for Roscommon."

Be there for New York v Roscommon in the 2026 Connacht Senior Football Championship! Clann na nGael GAA Club would like to send you and three friends to New York next Summer. The trip includes flights, accommodation and spending money, to the value of €5,000. The draw, which takes place on December 30th 2025, is fundraising for Clann na nGael GAA Club, Co. Roscommon, to assist with ongoing development to their grounds and clubhouse. Ticket cost €50 and are limited to 1,500 entries. Get your ticket now at www.clanngaa.ie/newyork