By Chris McNulty

The last six years have shown Seanie McDermott just how quickly time can pass by.

Roscommon were Connacht champions in 2010 when Donie Shine’s ten points helped them defeat Sligo.

Since then, they’ve watched across the border in envy as Mayo have claimed the Nestor Cup in each of the last five years. Western Gaels clubman McDermott played in 2010, but has seen his neighbours dominate of late.

“I would say that there is a bit of jealousy there, but if you were not jealous there would be something wrong with you,” McDermott said.

“They are the form team in Connacht, they are at where we have to get to. I would never resent them for what they have done. They are a phenomenal team, their work ethic is exceptional and for us as a team to get to that level we have to match that work ethic right around the field.

“That is what stands out in Division I; the level of work-rate here is much higher than in the other divisions, in relation to the tempo and the tackling.

“That is where we are trying to get to as a team. I think we are getting there gradually, step by step. Mayo are the team to topple in Connacht and it will take some doing.”

Newly-promoted Roscommon have taken to the top flight quite easily and are away to Donegal on Sunday with the sides locked on six points. McDermott was at college in Sligo with Paul Durcan, Karl Lacey, Eamon McGee, Neil McGee and Christy Toye.

He said: “They’re very skilful and  physically very strong. We know it’ll be a big game on Sunday. If the intensity levels are high and you work very hard you’ll be there or there abouts. You need the bounce of the ball, but if those things are there you’ll not be far away.”

Many tipped the Rossies for the drop, but McDermott knew they had the capabilities to stay up.

He said: “Our main aim was to make sure to maintain Division I status. That’s a big thing for this Roscommon team. That’s where they’ll find their feet and find their progression. I’m delighted to play in Division 1, for the first time in all my years playing for the county.

“People always expect the team that comes up form Division II to go straight back down again, but the teams in Division I are so seasoned. You have these teams playing in Division I year-on-year.

“We felt that we had the capabilities of staying in Division I. Any doubts were put to bed after the Monaghan game. Even though we conceded the game, we came away with a lot of positives and took them to Killarney.”

After a promising League campaign last year, Roscommon were beaten by Sligo in a Connacht semi-final before losing in the qualifiers to Fermanagh.

McDermott said: “The Sligo game is a hard one to explain. Did I think that we were over complacent? Definitely not. In all my years involved we have always had tough games with Sligo. There were a few things on the day, a few lads not 100 per cent sharp.

“You look at the game against Fermanagh, we had a lot of lads injured. Senior lads looking on and in order to go well in the championship you need to have competition in training and competition for places and that keeps everyone sharp.

“Wee didn’t show that bit of cuteness in that game. We never broke the pattern of play when they got a flow of scores to go ahead. We didn’t have the cuteness to make a block...do something different but we will learn from that.

“Against Monaghan this year, we should have slowed the game down at the end, but we showed that bit more maturity against Kerry, we learned our lesson and bought it to Killarney. We are going in the right way.”

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