But county loyalities are the focus this weather, and the red hot atmosphere of Dr Hyde Park on a Championship Sunday is where Donal hopes to sparkle against Leitrim in this weekend's Connacht SFC semi-final.

Fergal O'Donnell's charges are hoping to overcome Leitrim's challenge and secure their first Connacht final appearance since 2004.

Six of the 2006 All-Ireland minor winning side will start for Roscommon on Sunday afternoon, in what is a very youthful looking line-up, but Shine says that Leitrim will have plenty of fresh faces themselves.

"They will be similiar in that sense in that they have a lot of youth on the team, but then they have the experience with Declan Maxwell and the likes as well," he said.

One of the successful minor crop is current Roscommon captain Peter Domican. He is an experienced head on young shoulders, but Shine says the leadership role is shared well among the squad.

"Peter is a very young captain. He is only 21 as well, so there's plenty (of leaders). It's not really one leader on the team. You would have the older lads like Karol Mannion and David Casey who really are leaders on the team.

"It wouldn't be just down to Peter to lead the team. There are people coming from all positions, and are all willing to give their leadership. Definitely it isn't a team led by one man. It's a group effort."

One other constant through the ranks from minor to senior has been the presence of manager Fergal O'Donnell.

Shine says that O'Donnell's managerial skills have made it easy to step up through the age grades and into the senior ranks.

"Yeah, I suppose it was easier to come into the panel when you know Fergal so well.

"It was easier to adapt to senior from minor, he knows what to expect from you and he doesn't put any extra pressure on you. He lets you develop as you do.

"He doesn't put you under any extra pressure for you to come straight into senior and perform. I suppose playing last year, the young lads have got used to playing at senior level with Fergal now, and I think this year is really a time for us to go on and compete and hopefully get to get to a Connacht final.

"It's time now that we pushed on and looked for silverware. The win of 2006 is well gone, and it's time we looked for more success."

Roscommon had the upper hand when they met their Connacht rivals 12 months ago, and Shine, a talented forward and free-taker, says that he will have his hands full against Leitrim captain John McKeon.

"I played at wing forward against Leitrim last year and I know what they are like in defence, they are tough enough," he added.

"I'll be full-forward this year so I will have John McKeon to contend with, and he's no mean operator. He's a great player so, we know there is a tough game ahead.

"We have good forwards, and I'm sure they can put over the scores and put over enough scores to win the game."

Sunday's Connacht SFC semi-final at Dr Hyde Park has a 3.30pm throw-in.