'We can be a match for Westmeath' - Finbar Egan
In a novel pairing, this Sunday's TG4 LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-final sees neighbouring counties Westmeath and Roscommon face off for a much sought after place in the showpiece fixture at Croke Park.
Roscommon manager Finbar Egan expects an evenly contested fixture at Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan as his charges aim to overcome the challenge posed by the Leinster champions.
The Rossies overturned a 22-point loss to Leitrim in the Connacht final to win their All-Ireland quarter-final tie against the same opposition, the team's form on an upward trajectory since that provincial final loss.
Monksland native Egan said a post Connacht final “clear the air meeting” between the management and players was the catalyst for the turnaround in form.
In the group stage of this year's intermediate championship, Roscommon narrowly lost to Cavan before defeating Down to progress to the knockout stage of the 2026 championship. They are now just 60 minutes away from an appearance in the final at GAA HQ.
Reflecting on the Connacht final, Egan said the team were “never as bad” as they played against Leitrim in the May decider.
“We just could not score over the course of that game, while on the day, Leitrim couldn't miss. We kept giving possession of the ball away which is a complete recipe for disaster,” Egan said.
Despite the turnaround in the team's form since that provincial final debacle, Egan believes his charges still have “room for further improvement”.
“We played well against Cavan without getting our rewards, but thankfully the Down result went in our favour. Realistically, we have been playing well all year with just one or two speed bumps along the journey. More often than not, the players have been showing what they are capable of during this season,” Egan added.
The return of key injured playing personnel has allowed for the team to “build momentum”, Egan said, “helping to solidify performances”.
“We had 25 fit players to choose from prior to the quarter-final against Leitrim. I think that was the first time this season that all our playing options were available to us as a management team,” Egan stated.
Looking towards Sunday's semi-final contest, Egan firmly believes that Westmeath are favourites to advance, the Lake County having played in a higher league division this year and also reaching this stage of the intermediate championship in 2025.
“Westmeath are a strong, physical team who have past experience at this stage of the All-Ireland series, but I firmly believe we will be a match for them on the day,” said Egan, who is a familiar figure in Westmeath, with Maryland and Athlone among the club teams he has managed.
The counties last met competitively in a LGFA National Football League Division 2 game in 2025 when defeat to Westmeath in Ballynacargy saw Roscommon drop to Division 3 for their 2026 league campaign.
“As I have said, Westmeath are a really strong team. It's not easy to win a Leinster title. They have beaten Wexford now on three occasions this year. When you play a county so regularly there is always that potential for a slip up, but Westmeath made sure that didn't happen. That shows their mental strength too,” Egan continued.
Egan feels that if his players have the “right attitude”, which they brought to the games against Down and Leitrim, and perform to their best levels, a place in the final is a real possibility.
“Westmeath are the sole provincial champions remaining in the competition, so that tells you how competitive the season has been. It's a commonly used phrase but, at this stage of the year, it is completely 'on the day'. This won't be an easy game for either side,” continued Egan, who led Clann na nGael to Roscommon LGFA senior titles in 2021 and 2022.
A positive start, Egan feels, is a must for Roscommon, if they are to contend for a final berth.
“Westmeath are capable of running up big scores, so we need to be at the tempo of the game from the off. We played for 50 minutes against Leitrim and came out the right side of the result. On Sunday we will have to play for the full 60 minutes and beyond if we are to win,” Egan said.
The words “work ethic” and “attitude” are regularly used when Egan references his players. These are characteristics which he has drilled into his team and attributes which the players have called upon to earn a place in the weekend semi-final.
“We have a lot of good and honest players. They all have skill, ability and talent in abundance, but if we are outworked we won't be in a position to bring those elements of our game to the fore on Sunday,” Egan remarked.
Appointed Roscommon LGFA manager in August 2024, Egan has transformed his native county's championship form. In 2025, they won a relegation play-off against Wicklow to maintain their intermediate status. Now, they are just a victory away from concluding their season in Croke Park.
“We have won nothing yet. We have an opportunity to bring Roscommon to an All-Ireland final for the first time in 25 years. Many of our players weren't born the last time that happened.
“If we lost the previous day our season would have been deemed a failure. Should we win on Sunday it will reflect a good season. Success beyond the weekend will be deemed a great season for Roscommon,” Egan concluded.