What Roscommon need to do to secure promotion?
Can Ciaráin Murtagh and Enda Smith get the job done against Westmeath and leave Roscommon in with a chance of securing promotion? Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Despite Davy Burke’s assertions that Roscommon’s league campaign was over after the two-point defeat to Cavan, the reality is that the odds slightly favour the Rossies in their search for promotion as Division Two comes to an exciting conclusion on Sunday next.
Promotion is out of Roscommon’s hands but they need to take care of business this Sunday in Mullingar and hope that results fall in their favour.
Here we will take you through what needs to happen if Roscommon are to secure an immediate return to the top table and book a trip to Croke Park on Sunday week.
As Roscommon enjoy an inferior head to head record with both Cavan and Meath, Davy Burke’s men must hope Cavan and Meath both win or both lose.
If one of Meath or Cavan lose, then the team that win will have Roscommon on the head to head rule and will be promoted.
However, the key thing is that Meath and Cavan must try and win and hope that other results fall their way.
On form, Meath and Cavan will be favourites to beat Louth and Cork respectively, so scoring difference between the three teams would come into play, which is what Roscommon need.
Roscommon are in a healthy position in this regard with the second best scoring difference in the division (see table below).
Unless Meath secure a thumping win over Louth, then Roscommon would enjoy a superior score difference.
Cavan would need a mammoth victory over a Cork side who still have slim hopes of promotion but who are, realistically, fighting to avoid the possibility of playing in the Tailteann Cup.
This is not guaranteed to secure promotion for Roscommon but if Monaghan lose out to a Down side fighting to stay in the division in Clones, then the Rossies could secure Division One football for 2026.
If Monaghan lose and one or both of Meath and Cavan win, then scoring difference would be used to separate the teams.
Again, this is what Roscommon need.
Of course, all this is based on Roscommon defeating an already-relegated Westmeath who have been the unluckiest team in the division so far.
This weekend promises to be intriguing. Let the drama commence.
