By Cian O'Connell

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Roscommon's ambitions remain high following a decade of decent success at underage level. Four Connacht Under 21 titles and three minor crowns have been accumulated since 2006.

Now, though, Roscommon want to add senior silverware to the collection according to captain Ciarain Murtagh. “A lot of people blew up lads when they were winning minors and under-21s and stuff, but ultimately we have to be winning your provincial championship at senior level – that’s what everyone remembers you for," Murtagh says.

“You won't be remembered for those minors and under-21s."

Galway defeated Roscommon following a replay in 2016 and Murtagh wants his team to reach the western summit. “You are not going to keep getting to Connacht finals every year," Murtagh states.

"There are teams in Connacht - Sligo, Mayo, Galway - those teams are going to be fighting for it every year."

Murtagh acknowledges the build up is slightly different heading into Sunday's decider at Pearse Stadium. “There definitely was hype last year, but that was coming from a massive League campaign," Murtagh recalls.

“We put a lot of work into that League campaign and we picked up some massive wins in it.

“This year when we started losing, people don’t want to talk about the teams that are losing games.

“Like that, when you get to Connacht Final you want to be there to win it and not lose it, no one is going to remember the losers.”

At 24, Murtagh is one of the younger captains on the inter-county circuit, but it is a role the St Faithleach's clubman relishes.

"A lot of people usually say it’s a more older, experienced player that gets captaincy," Murtagh remarks.

"There are a lot of young lads around the panel, though. We don’t have that many old lads, lads who would be in their late 20s -Seanie McDermott, Fintan Cregg, and Conor Devaney. The management last year were happy enough to give it to me and Kevin McStay stuck with me again this year. I was happy to get it.”