Analysis: Who are Kilmeena's opponents in the Connacht Final

THIS Sunday afternoon will see Mayo champions Kilmeena battle it out for Connacht glory. The men from St Brendan’s Park are no strangers to provincial victories having claimed the Junior crown in 2023 when they got past Sligo’s St Patrick’s. This time round sees Kilmeena face off in their first ever Connacht intermediate final where Roscommon’s Strokestown await. 

Last weekend, the Roscommon outfit overcame Allen Gaels of Leitrim by six points to set up a clash with the men from West Mayo. Here, we take a deep dive into Kilmeena’s opponents who are stacked with inter-county experience.

There's no doubt about it, Strokestown are an experienced team and just three years ago, the men in black and amber were crowned Roscommon senior champions. That year, they brought Galway’s finest Moycullen to extra-time in a Connacht semi-final but ever since that, a fast downhill surge occurred. 

Relegated from senior ranks in 2023, an instant bounce-back almost occurred but they were defeated by Elphin in the 2024 intermediate final. With plenty of courage and resilience, they set out again in 2025 and this October, the men from Tom Shevlin Park reached the summit and defeated Éire Óg in the decider.

Players such as Colin Compton and Sean Mullooly are seen as two of Strokestown’s main men with the experienced duo having previously lined out for the Roscommon senior team for a number of years. Team captain Compton who is now in his mid-thirties has major experience at the top level having represented the county for over a decade. He's expected to line up in midfield where he could come against Jack Carney.

In defence, the side managed by Pierce McGinley have Colm Neary a regular with the Roscommon senior side. It’s clear that Strokestown have plenty of experience whether it be Mullooly, Compton or Neary.

Up front, Shane McGinley is a naturally-talented forward and is definitely a player to watch. A member of last year’s Roscommon U-20 side, McGinley impressed for the Rossies and he also received a call up to Davy Burke’s senior squad. One of his attacking teammates, Diarmuid McCann has been in fine scoring form recently and kicked 1-7 last week in the semi-final win over Allen Gaels.

Pierce McGinley's side have been hitting some big scores in the Roscommon championship, having recorded tallies of 5-20 and 1-24 while across their seven games to date, Strokestown's scoring average is 2-16 per game.

Both Strokestown and Kilmeena are well familiar with finals as the pair have played in numerous deciders in recent times. The question is who will come out on top and claim the Connacht Champions tag? 

Will Strokestown win their first ever provincial title or will Kilmeena join Hollymount Carramore, Westport and Crossmollina who all claimed provincial glory at intermediate level in the last ten years. Time will tell.

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