‘We want to make people proud’ — Ruane

The way last season unfolded frustrated Dylan Ruane — a season where potential was unfulfilled.

Ahead of 2026, the mood music was low — almost non-existent in fact. A new management ticket did bring optimism and even though there was clearly talent in Roscommon, the perception from many, including even the most optimistic of supporters, was that it would take time for Mark Dowd to mould this new-look team into a side that would give followers heady excitement.

From the get-go, Dowd has repeatedly spoke about building a bond with supporters. According to Ruane, restoring that connection was one of Roscommon’s main goals for the year.

“We have gone after that connection this year. We feel it with the supporters. After the games, it is nice to embrace that with them on the pitch.

“When we were in New York, we had a gathering in Times Square and a bit of a night out in Manhattan afterwards, and you were just bumping into people. We want to make them proud with our performances,” he noted.

After the excitement that surrounded Roscommon’s barnstorming 2-25 to 1-18 win over Mayo, the sensational performance, and victory, by the U-20s against the “Green and Red” a few days later has only served to increase the anticipation ahead of this Sunday’s Connacht SFC final.

For Ruane, the success of the U-20s and the minor team’s appearance in Friday evening’s provincial decider has given his side added fuel to the already raging fire that exists to secure a first Connacht senior title in the Hyde in 25 years.

“We actually watched it (the Connacht U-20 final) here before training. We had to cut extra-time short and go out and do the actual training. It gave us a big lift. They played some really good football. It was a great game.

“Even the minors as well, they are in a Connacht final and they are playing good stuff. I watched their game against Mayo a few weeks ago. It's exciting times to be fair,” the wing-forward stated.

When the vice-captain is asked about his memories of Connacht finals gone by, he quickly mentions 2019. Roscommon’s 1-13 to 0-12 win over Galway will live long in the memory for all Rossies present in Salthill, while Ruane, who was positioned in the Árus Bóthar na Trá end of Pearse Stadium, enjoys his own special memory of that day.

“In 2019, I was behind the goal when Conor Cox kicked the last point. I actually caught the ball, so that's a funny enough one. Yeah, those two Connacht finals in Salthill (in 2017 and 2019), I remember those. They were great memories,” he noted.

Ruane is ideally placed to discuss the rivalry that exists between Roscommon, Galway and Mayo. He is aware of the importance of giving Roscommon fans the bragging rights in the rivalry that exists with Galway.

“The Heneghan lads went to school in Galway. I went to school in Ballyhaunis, so mine is probably more with Mayo. But I'm right on the border there in Ballinlough, so you get a bit of both. There is a bit of rivalry there.

“They've probably got one over on us the last few years. You get a bit of craic out of it as well. There's a bit of slagging and stuff, but you're friends with these lads from college and stuff as well,” he contended.

The quantity surveyor, who is based in Dublin, feels that his love of the game will help him to avoid falling into the trap of being consumed by the big day.

“We're taking it game by game. Every game is different now. It’s Galway the next day. We know what that challenge will be. We are going to prepare as best we can for that, use our experiences, and hopefully get a performance.

“There is a bit of expectation sometimes. But it's just a game of football at the end of the day. You're doing what you love,” he concluded.