Roscommon County Board GAA issued the following statement on Thursday night:
Roscommon GAA is aware there is considerable interest in the status of the Roscommon Senior Football Panel for the season 2017. You will be aware Kevin McStay was recently appointed Senior Team Manager and is joined by Liam McHale who will coach the team. Roscommon GAA can now confirm that Ger Dowd of the Creggs GAA Club is the third member of the management team.
Ciaráin Murtagh will continue as captain of the Roscommon Senior footballers. A vice-captain will be named after the completion of the FBD Connacht League.
The size of the playing panel and backroom team is significantly reduced for 2017. Management has spoken to all 38 members of the 2016 Panel and the following information is deemed relevant:
- All players contacted indicated a desire to play for Roscommon in 2017
- Each member of the 2017 FBD Panel has confirmed they intend to play with Roscommon for the complete league and championship season.
Due to representing Roscommon in the club championships, no member of the St Brigid’s Panel (Senior) or Creggs Panel (Junior) is currently available to the panel. This situation will be reviewed on completion of their respective club campaign.
A Development Panel, made up of players in the 19 – 23 years’ age group, has been established. It is also anticipated that other club players will partake in “In House Games” (during December) and FBD Connacht League games (during January) with a view to making the NFL Panel.
A complete panel list will be made available in the coming weeks once Management has fully briefed officers of Roscommon County Board and has met with all members of the various panel/ back room teams and discussed the 2016 season just past and look forward to the 2017 season ahead
