I’m settled back in at home again, delighted to see that summer has arrived in my absence.  Well, it’s only been three years since we had the last one but it’s good to have it back all the same.

What with the hours of unbroken sunshine, the barbie (first time it’s been lit since 2006) and all the outdoor fun and games, I never got around to catching the action from Carrick live on rte.ie.  However, I’ve just seen the highlights on The Sunday Game and I’m still recovering from the shock at seeing the match that wasn’t transmitted live earlier on given top billing.  If this is part of Dessie’s regime change on Sunday nights, then I’m all for it.

Carrick looked its best in the glorious sunshine this afternoon and the match was a fairly action-packed one.  It was only when Kev mentioned it on the telly just now that I realised today’s win for the Rossies was their first in the Connacht championship (aside from foreign outings) for five years and they had to work hard in the sun for the spoils today.

They battled back well from conceding goals at the start of either half, with the Ridge County lads – for whom the loss of Emlyn Mulligan was keenly felt – never able to press home their advantage. Instead the visitors’ dominance at midfield throughout, combined with the offensive threat from the likes of Gary Cox, Donie Shine and Senan Kilbride, proved enough to tip Leitrim once again into the qualifiers and send the Rossies heading in our direction come June 20th.

It goes without saying that Fergie O’Donnell’s young Sheepstealers could well prove a handful for us in three weeks time.  We’ll be strong favourites to win, while they’ll come into the game – with a panel containing a number of lads with All-Ireland minor medals in their arse pockets – happy in the role of underdogs, knowing that plenty of Roscommon teams in the past have succeeded in turning over fancied Mayo sides.  There’s lots of time over the course of the next three weeks, however, to ruminate on matters to do with pilfered ovine and the like.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think that the perfect summer’s day needs to be topped up with some perfect cool beer.