IT'S THE ROSSIES' TIME TO SHINE

Donie backs new man Dowd to take county's finest to the next level

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ROSCOMMON Gaels' defeat by St Brigid's over the weekend means new county boss Mark Dowd is free to fully focus on the county's fortunes.

And ex-Roscommon star Donie Shine reckons recently-appointed Dowd is the right man for the job.

Shine (36) played under Dowd in the county's All-Ireland minor triumph in 2006 and the seniors Connacht title in 2010, when they won the provincial crown from Division 4.

Dowd was part of Fergal O'Donnell's management team for both victories, but having long since stepped out on his own, he's now moved up to the top job in the county where he'll look to crack the code and unlock Roscommon's potential.

Shine, who was forced to retire from football in 2021 due to persistent injuries, isn't overly bothered about Roscommon yo-yoing between Division 1 and 2 over the past decade. But he says with the crop of players they've had — and forwards in particular — their goal should be a first All-Ireland semifinal since 1991, when they lost out by a single point to Meath.