Oldham look to the future

CRYING GAME . . . Neil Roden and Mick Fogerty embrace after Oldham’s play-off final defeat yesterday.

OLDHAM Roughyeds will today begin the process of planning for another season in Co-operative Championship One, following a hugely disappointing defeat in the play-off final.

Conquerors York thoroughly outplayed Oldham to claim the spoils 25-4 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, making it a fourth time unlucky in consecutive showpiece occasions for the club. Match report and reaction on Pages 34-35.

Two players — Jason Boults and Dave Ellison — have so far been snapped up for 2011, with one, Craig Robinson, departing for pastures new at Doncaster.

Contract talks will be held with the current squad, while the future of Tony Benson is also to be decided with his contract due to expire.

After leading the club beyond reasonable expectations to second place in the division, the Kiwi would be a popular choice to lead the team for a third season.

The ground situation is also on the agenda, with significant improvement set to be made to facilities at the Whitebank Stadium.

Meanwhile, Marcus St Hilaire, Wayne Kerr and John Gillam have been selected for the Ireland squad to play in the forthcoming Alitalia European Cup.

Gregg McNally of Huddersfield — who spent most of the season on loan with the Roughyeds, culminating in yesterday’s play-off final defeat — is also named in coach Andy Kelly’s squad.

Former Roughyeds players Dave Allen of Widnes and Stevie Gibbons of Leeds Met are included as well, along with Oldham-born Wigan prop forward Eamon O’Carroll.

Roughyeds coach Tony Benson is Kelly’s assistant.

Ireland’s first game is against France in Avignon on Saturday, October 9 (3.15pm). Seven days later they take on Wales in Neath (2pm), finishing off against Scotland in Dublin on Saturday, October 23 (2.30pm).




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