Connacht SFC: Gavin Cummiskey talks to Sligo boss James Kearins, who is focused on his team bridging a 33-year gap at Hyde Park on Sunday against Roscommon
The tag of underdogs is firmly attached to a number of teams in this year's championship, but, after a closer investigation, such labelling may be unwarranted.
Sligo have not won a championship match in Hyde Park since 1971. Why should this Sunday's trip to Roscommon in the Connacht Championship be any different?
Well, there are mitigating factors: they impressed through the competitive Division One B campaign, while new manager James Kearins has seamlessly taken up the baton from Peter Forde.
The role attracted the Dromard man because he saw a bright future for this current Sligo side.
"That's why I took over the job, not just because it was Sligo but due to the potential of the team," he says. "I'd been involved with a few clubs in the county and had my fair share of success, so it was a natural progression. I'm very proud to be manager of my county."
One thing that rankles with him is the manner in which Sligo have been perceived as a team entering the autumn of their existence.
"I don't know where that perception came from. None of them are a day over 28-years-old. Some may have plenty of mileage in their legs, but they also have plenty left over. The team is not better or worse than two years ago. They are just a decent side."
Eamonn O'Hara is the senior statesman on the team, while Paul Durkin is almost back to full fitness and is named in the panel. Kearins expects him to play some part on Sunday.
Two years ago, Sligo made their long-overdue mark in national football circles. They beat Tyrone before succumbing to eventual champions Armagh, although they brought Joe Kernan's men to a replay first.
Sligo's rise to prominence came as a direct result of the back door. They became one of the lesser counties to carve out a breakthrough via the new system.
"Sligo has benefited hugely from the qualifiers. It has allowed them to develop as players, and with development comes belief. In the qualifying stages teams tend to play with more abandon," continued Kearins.
That carefree style seemed to suit his men. They should have faced Tyrone in the league semi-final but conceded three goals in their final match against Meath, one in injury-time, which allowed Galway to progress on points difference. A disappointment for Sligo, but it did mean the rest of the country got to witness the titanic struggle between Tyrone and Galway, while Kearins' men went into hibernation.
Their focus now is Tom Carr's Roscommon. Kearins is not interested in a semi-final showdown with Leitrim or a decent run in the qualifiers, or even a first Connacht title in 29 years; the only obstacle he can see is Tom Carr's Roscommon.
He claims to know little about Roscommon, but like all smart managers he sticks to the cliches when discussing the opposition: physical contest, good in attack and solid in defence.
"With home advantage they are undoubtedly going in as favourites. We last beat them there in 1971, but I don't know if young fellas are intimidated by that kind of stuff anymore. Come Sunday we'll have a better idea."
