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Preview: Weekend's Gaelic Football Championship action

Enda Smith in action during Roscommon's Allianz Football League game against Galway at Pearse Stadium in March.

Enda Smith in action during Roscommon's Allianz Football League game against Galway at Pearse Stadium in March.

Sunday June 16

Connacht Senior Football Championship Final

Galway v Roscommon, Pearse Stadium, 4pm

For much of the past decade Galway and Roscommon watched Mayo dictate the agenda in the west, but this strangely is a repeat of the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Connacht deciders.

That reflects the considerable time Galway and Roscommon invested in the underage ranks getting players ready for these type of occasions.

In 2016 and 2017 Mayo did reach All Ireland finals illustrating their Croke Park pedigree, but in the west Galway and Roscommon have recently sampled success.

The top three Connacht counties did all perform in Division One of the Allianz Football League this year, but Roscommon were relegated.

Still, it didn't stop Anthony Cunningham's team easily dealing with Leitrim before taking the prized summer Mayo scalp at Elverys MacHale Park.

Cathal Cregg's delightful goal was the highlight of that success, while Conor Cox's ability to drill points adds another layer of craft to the Roscommon attack.

There has been a steely resolve to Roscommon's approach even when narrow losses were being suffered in the spring.

Galway, who have been forced to endure a severe injury crisis, have adequately dealt with the ailments so far.

Captain Damien Comer is unlikely to feature at the weekend following ankle surgery, but Peter Cooke, Sean Kelly, Adrian Varley, Declan Kyne, and Paul Conroy's return to training increases Kevin Walsh's options.

Two years ago a pumped up Roscommon cruised to an emphatic win over Galway in Salthill, but the maroon and white brigade avenged that loss in Dr Hyde Park at this stage in 2018.

It was a tight and tense affair with Galway finishing strongly to hoist the Nestor Cup. In 2016 Galway prevailed following a replay. It promises to be similarly hard fought once more.

GALWAY: Bernard Power; Eoghan Kerin, Sean Andy Ó Ceallaigh, Liam Silke; Gary O’Donnell, Gareth Bradshaw, John Daly; Tom Flynn, Fiontan Ó Curraoin; Shane Walsh, Michael Daly, Johnny Heaney; Antaine Ó Laoi, Ian Burke, Danny Cummins.

ROSCOMMON: Darren O’Malley; David Murray, Sean Mullooly, Conor Daly; Niall Daly, Conor Hussey, Ronan Daly; Tadgh O’Rourke, Shane Killoran; Conor Devaney, Cathal Cregg, Niall Kilroy; Diarmuid Murtagh, Conor Cox, Enda Smith.