Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Paddy Bradley | Kevin Cassidy
Colm Cooper | Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Oisin McConville | Ciaran McDonald
Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Stephen O'Neill | Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé
Colm Parkinson | Ciaran Whelan

The 2004 Senior Football Championship had many memorable characters and events, but the highlight had to be Roscommon goalkeeper Shane Curran’s match-winning performance in his side’s Connacht quarter-final replay win over Sligo in May. Having already knocked in a goal for his side, he emerged from his goal in injury time to fire over a 45m free from beside the sideline to put his side ahead. Sligo equalised to force extra time, but Roscommon won out in the end.
He rates that win, which earned him a Personality of the Month award, as one of the greatest moments in his long sporting career.

Roscommon went on to meet All-Ireland finalists Mayo in the Connacht final and were eventually beaten by Dublin in the Qualifiers. However, the flamboyant shot-stopper doesn’t see 2004 as a successful year for Roscommon, but one of missed opportunities.

How would you rate Roscommon’s performance in the
championship this season?
I wouldn’t be that happy with it really. We set ourselves goals of getting promotion and we didn’t achieve what we wanted to, which was to win the All-Ireland. We felt we shouldn’t have been beaten in the Connacht final. It was a very open Championship with little between the teams so I feel we missed a golden opportunity.

What have been your greatest moments in sport?
Winning against Sligo in the replay last May was a great moment. But we won nothing after, and that’s the yardstick by which you are measured.

Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
Kerry last year, they are the best I’ve ever come up against.

What advice would you give to young players coming through the ranks?
Listen to every bit of advice you get. Whenever you get it, take it on board
and learn from it.

How do you balance your goalkeeping duties with work?
I’m a sales rep with The Capco Roofing Company so I’m on the road a lot. The demands on your time are very severe, but it’s probably a lot harder on your wife and family. I’ve got great support from my wife Sharon and my two little girls, Lauren and Abbey. Their support has allowed me to compete at this level. Whether I’ll keep playing at inter-county level is something I’m thinking about, but I’m pretty sure I’ll keep going for at least another year.

Which player do you admire the most?
Padraig Joyce.

Who was your childhood sporting hero?
In Roscommon, Jimmy Murray. He was the last captain to win an All-Ireland with Roscommon. I also admired Brian Mullins of Dublin and Pat Jennings, the great Arsenal goalie, he got me into goalkeeping in the first place.

What are your hopes for the future?
To win the All-Ireland football championship.

© December 2004

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