Roscommon have "every chance" of making a push for the All-Ireland, according to RTÉ GAA analyst Eamonn Fitzmaurice.
The Rossies claimed their 25th Connacht title and their first in seven years after reeling in Galway in a thrilling provincial decider in Dr Hyde Park, their first championship win over the Tribesmen in their own patch since 1990.
Their cause looked doomed after Galway's purple patch in the middle of the second half, which culminated in Damien Comer blasting home a goal to put the away side six points clear with 10 minutes remaining.
However, a trio of two pointers from Paul Carey, Daire Cregg and then a fateful one from Diarmuid Murtagh after Comer was penalised 50 metres for preventing a solo and go saw the Rossies turn the tables at the end.
"They've been one of the stories of the season," Fitzmaurice on Morning Ireland.
"They've been performing consistently throughout the season right back to their first league game below in Killarney.
"Mark Dowd has built a strong squad full of belief and they're just playing with fierce pace. They're direct. Some of the younger lads that have come into the team - Darragh Heneghan, Colm Neary, Senan Lambe - and they're adding to the experience of the likes of Enda Smith, Diarmuid Murtagh, Keith Doyle, Ronan Daly.
"They're playing a fantastic brand of football. I think in the first half, Conor Carroll was exceptional in terms of getting his kickouts away.
"Between the movement [out the field] and his kicking, he was at over 80% retention on his own kickout which is incredible really in the modern game.
"When Damien Comer got that goal and Galway went to six ahead, it really did look like it was kind of that experienced grizzly team grinding out the result. But Roscommon wouldn't give in and got their deserved win at the end in a fantastic contest."
Roscommon's latest Connacht championship victory comes on top of an impressive league showing, which saw them win four of seven games in Division 1, including against Donegal, Armagh and Galway.
While they have been, intermittently, a formidable force in Connacht over the years, they have failed to translate into a concerted push for glory beyond the province.
The county hasn't recorded a championship win in Croke Park since the 1980 All-Ireland semi-final victory over Armagh.
Roscommon have won the Connacht Football Championship. Scenes of undiluted joy at Dr Hyde Park as they complete a memorable provincial clean sweep: the minor, the under-20 and now the senior title all belong to Roscommon. 🏆🏆🏆 #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/OQTxfMl4dS
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 10, 2026
Nevertheless, Fitzmaurice believes this Roscommon team have the tools to go further.
"I think the last one they won was in 2019 and they didn't quite push on into the All-Ireland series afterwards.
"I think the difference this year is they're coming off a very strong league, whereas some of the other times when they won Connacht, it was coming off a relegation.
"They have a hugely strong squad, they're playing with massive confidence, their minors and Under-20s are flying at the moment as well so there must be a great buzz in the county.
"I'd give them every chance. Their next game is at home, against Tyrone in the Hyde.
"They'll be looking to build on the momentum from Connacht. They've been consistent throughout the season and that's a good place to be for them."
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