Mayo 1-11

Roscommon 1-7

Declan Rooney reports from Dr Hyde Park

MAYO HELD OFF a strong Roscommon comeback to register their second win of Division 1 as Roscommon’s semi-final hopes suffered a setback.

Evan Regan’s blistering goal just after the restart proved crucial as Diarmuid Murtagh instigated a revival for Roscommon with 1-1 after his introduction.

Having led by nine points with 12 minutes remaining, Mayo were forced to defend a perilous three-point lead as time ticked away, but Cillian O’Connor, who made a surprise return from injury, kicked the insurance point in injury-time.

It is a mystery how Mayo didn’t have this game wrapped up by the 20^th minute. In the most dominant of halves, Mayo cleaned up at midfield, were utterly dominant at the back, but shot ten wides in a poor return in front of goal.

They led 0-4 to 0-0 by the 22^nd minute, while a couple of great saves from Geoffrey cLaffey ensured that the visitors to Hyde Park could never pull clear.

It was the 23^rd minute before Roscommon registered a score when Conor Devaney chipped over a point, but when Robert Hennelly landed his second 45 of the game that four point lead had been restored.

But Roscommon finishe dhte first-hlf brightly and three Ciaran Murtahg point in the last five minutes left it 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.

It was a skewed scoreboard at the interval, but Mayo soon put a fairer twist on it after the restart. Regan’s brilliant goal put them 1-7 to 0-4 ahead – Maurice Deegan must be questioned as to how he missed Regan’s overcarrying though – while his two frees and a good point from Paddy Durcan had Mayo 1-10 to 0-4 ahead.

But after the introduction of Diarmuid Murtagh Roscommon recovered. His 63^rd minute goal inspired his side and Devaney added a quick point, but O’Connor’s late free meant there was no way back for the home side.

Mayo will hope to beat Down and save their top flight status next weekend, while Roscommon are not yet certain of their semi-final slot, and may need a point against Dublin.

Scorers for Mayo: E Regan 1-3 (2f), A Freeman 0-3 (3f), R Hennelly 0-2 (2’45), C O’Shea 0-1, P Durcan 0-1, C O’Connor 0-1 (1f).

Scorers for Roscommon: D Murtagh 1-1, C Murtagh 0-3 (2f), C Devaney 0-2, F Cregg 0-1 (1f).

Mayo

1 Robert Hennelly (Breaffy)

2 Brendan Harrison (Aghamore)
3 Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites)
4 Chris Barrett (Belmullet)

6 Colm Boyle (Davitts)
5 Lee Keegan (Westport)
20 Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe)

8 Tom Parsons (Charlestown)
9 Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)

10 Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)
14 Jason Doherty (Burrishoole)
11 Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy)

13 Evan Regan (Ballina Stephenites)
25 Alan Freeman (Aghamore)
15 Conor O’Shea (Breaffy)

Subs:

7 Paddy Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels) for Vaughan, half-time
19 Stephen Coen for Cafferkey, 45 mins
26 Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber) for C O’Shea, 52 mins
24 Alan Dillon (Ballintubber) for Freeman, 57 mins BC
18 David Drake (Ballaghaderreen) for D O’Connor, 61 mins
21 Jason Gibbons (Ballintubber) for Doherty, 63 mins

Roscommon

1 Geoffrey Claffey (Castlerea/St Kevin’s)

2 Sean McDermott (Western Gaels)
3 Neil Collins (St Brigid’s, Castleknock)
4 Niall McInerney (St Brigid’s)

22 John McManus (Roscommon Gaels)
6 Sean Purcell (Boyle)
7 David Murray (Padraig Pearses)

23 Ian Kilbride (St Brigid’s)
10 Fintan Cregg (Elphin)

5 Conor Daly (Padraig Pearses)
11 Ciaran Murtagh (St Faithleach’s)
12 Conor Devaney (Kilbride)

19 Niall Kilroy (Fuerty)
8 Enda Smith (Boyle)
15 Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels)

Subs:

17 Cathal Compton (Strokeston) for I Kilbride, 43 mins
9 Sean Mollooley (Strokestown) for McManus, 57 mins
24 Diarmuid Murtagh (St Faithleach’s) for C Daly, 59 mins
18 Ronan Daly (Pdraig Pearses) for Devaney, 63 mins
20 James McDermott (Roscommon Gaels) for Smith 66 mins

Referee: M Deegan (Laois).

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