Anthony Cunnigham has declared Roscommon don’t fear the Dubs as the six-in-a-row All-Ireland champions arrive in Dr Hyde Park on Sunday.
It’s the first game for Dessie Farrell’s men since they lifted Sam Maguire back in December, however Farrell won’t be in the Hyde as he serves his Covid-19 training breach ban.
While preparing to beat the Dubs, Cunningham wasn’t getting drawn into the debate being played out regarding Farrell’s suspension.
“That’s up to the GAA authority” explained Cunningham, “we have a lot of work to do to focus on our own game, fitness level and team players”.
“It was disappointing, but for us we’re just getting on it” added the Roscommon boss, “we have no animosity with any team, and we just want to win every game we play”.
While Farrell won’t be on the side-line, 55-year-old Cunningham isn’t expecting any real change from what has become the normal Dublin league approach.
“I’d expect a continuation from them, Dessie Farrell has come in; in last year’s league matches he used the same template as previous managers” explained Cunningham.
“They will try new players and they will want their players to get game time, so you will see a rotation from them”.
“They played Monaghan last year in the first league game and they should have lost, they would have played six or seven regulars and they continued with that throughout the league”.
“We don’t fear anyone in Hyde Park” added Cunningham, “that’s the attitude we’re taking, just two years ago, they were there for the taking and a fortunate goal swung it for them.”
A shortened season has changed preparations for Cunningham and the Roscommon backroom team, but they remain focused on retaining their division one status for 2022.
“We would have liked and every team would have liked more of a run in and more challenge matches but it is the same for everyone” Cunningham explained.
“Every match you go, you go out to win, for us we’d love to be in a position to get into the league semi-final, which is at the end of the three matches” smiled Cunningham.
“It’s about bringing new players in and building for that crunch match on the fourth of July, which sounds a long way off, but is quiet close when you take the league out of it”.
Roscommon v Dublin
Dr Hyde Park
Sunday May 16, throw-in 1:45pm
Live on Shannonside
