It hasn’t been a bad debut season for Naomh Colmcille goalkeeper John Roulstone.
Better known as a ‘keeper on the soccer fields of Donegal, bar a spell as the St Mary’s, Convoy Under-21 netminder, his Gaelic football experience was minimal until 2017. This has been his first taste of GAA at adult level.
Now residing in Newtown, Roulstone – pictured above by Evan Logan – jumped at the chance when the call came from Ryan McKinley and now stands an hour away from an Ulster Junior title.
“I’ve been getting on alright,” muses Roulstone ahead of Saturday evening’s final against Belnaleck in Omagh.
Tony (Blake) has come in and I’ve worked with him over the years. He’s been a very positive influence.
“There definitely is a difference. There is more emphasis on the kicking. The high ball is a lot bigger factor and it’s a lot more physical.”
Naomh Colmcille entered 2017 with promotion in Division 4 their big aim, but after winning the Donegal Junior Championship they’re on the cusp of the club’s greatest hour this weekend.
Roulstone said: “We’ve always been underdogs.
“In the first knockout game, we were massive underdogs against Moville. That was a turning point. People started to take notice and we started to take notice of ourselves.”
Listen to the full interview below …