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Roscommon manager Anthony Cunningham says his team will have to be in their prime to beat Mayo on Sunday, but he feels they are ready and fully prepared for the challenge.
The Rossies may not be the favorites for Connacht’s semifinal clash, but it’s worth remembering that the Nestor Cup is in their possession and they defeated Mayo at the same stage of the competition last year.
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The two teams went in opposite directions in the league, Mayo dropped out of the top flight and Roscommon led Division 2.
While James Horan’s team did get a first run in the win over Leitrim last weekend, their opponents will be somewhat cold, despite the Allianz League conlusion.
Cunningham eagerly awaits the contest and looks forward to a formidable challenge from a strong starting lineup.
“We are ready, well prepared and looking forward to the game,” he told RTÉ Sport, adding that the last two league games, in which they defeated Armagh and Cavan, were key to building the championship.
“At this time of year, you need championship games. It’s life and death this weekend. It was great to get both league games and promotion, but that’s over and our biggest focus was always the championship.
“Cathal Cregg and Enda Smith have done us very well and are leading our attack.
“Defensively we’ve been solid, but our biggest challenge will be this weekend with players like Cillian O’Connor and Aidan O’Shea leading their attack. It will be very difficult to stop them.
“We have to be very careful that we don’t all allow a lot of scores from those particular players.
Having taken advantage of a backdoor route to Croke Park in recent seasons, Mayo knows the stakes are all on Sunday, with Galway awaiting the winner. Cunningham has been impressed by the infusion of fresh faces to some of the trusted veterans at Horan’s disposal.
“We have to do everything we can to beat Mayo. They have been the second best team in the country for the last 10 years. Those payers are still there, they have won new players and they are really strong.”
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