ROSSA selector Sean McManus says that his team are feeling very positive after getting their Senior Championship off to a good start.

Rossa got their first win of the campaign on Tuesday night. In an epic match they defeated Ballycastle by 0-26 to 2-14 at Pairc Rossa.

“We have had one game and got a win. You have to be happy with that. We know there is an awful long way to go and there is very little between any of the teams. The whole championship will go down to a couple of points either side,” said McManus.

“The standard of the championship is very good. We have a game under our belt but we won’t get too excited about it.”

McManus said of their opponents on Tuesday night: “We knew Ballycastle would bring real intensity and organisation. They are strong and solid. They went out against Dunloy and St John’s in their first and second games and secured draws. In the Dunloy game they were caught at the end. They have players with intercounty experience all through, they are strong and physical.

“There was no way we were getting anything but a real tough encounter. They play together and play with pride and we knew that we were in for a battle. We knew if we got out with two points then brilliant. If we got out with two points and no injuries, even better.”

The Rossa squad has a few players who suffered soft tissue injuries, and muscle tweaks, but nothing that will overly concern the management. They were going for their recovery session to Lough Neagh last night, where they would do a run and do some cold water recovery. They are hoping that that will get them ready for this Saturday’s second round robin group game which will be against Naomh Éanna (Saturday, Pairc Éanna, 4pm).

Naomh Eanna lost to Loughgiel in round one, 2-25 to 0-17, but they will want to bounce back from that.

The challenge for both clubs is handling the dual element of their team.

Rossa have already played three senior football matches as well as that hurling match on Sunday.

“It is tough on the bodies so we are as much about looking after the lads as much as we can. The fixtures are a little better this year, they are less condensed, but there are still a lot of matches.”

McManus said that they expect to be ready and raring to go against Naomh Éanna on Saturday. However, they are preparing for another difficult game even though they will probably be favourites.

“They have Michael McCambridge in as manager. He is an organised coach. They have been on the road playing challenge games against underage intercounty set-ups. They have been down to Kilkenny. They have plenty of players with intercounty experience. I have had some of those lads who were playing intercounty at underage level. We are in for another tough game.”

SCORER … Deaglán Murphy scored 0-5 against Ballycastle on Tuesday night