Hurlers miss out on Nickey Rackard Cup final in heartbreaking circumstances
Seán Canning (right), pictured here with his brother Eoin, made a big difference when introduced against Mayo in Dr. Hyde Park. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
The Roscommon senior hurlers produced their best performance of the season on the day that mattered, but it wasn't enough to book their place in the Nickey Rackard Cup final against Donegal in Croke Park in two weeks' time.
A storming finish against Mayo procured a deserved share of the spoils in Dr. Hyde Park, but Mayo advanced to the final by virtue of their better scoring difference.
Manager Kevin Sammon will be proud that his players were excellent in the face of adversity, but there will be regrets as too many frees were missed, particularly during the second half when Roscommon started winning all the major collisions.
After Conor Mulry brought the sides level deep into injury-time, pressure on Mayo centre-back David Kenny resulted in a free from a central position 50 metres out from goal. But just as Robbie Fallon and Conor Cosgrove had done earlier in the half, James Hardiman pulled his effort wide.
Regular free-taker Paddy Fallon remained an unused substitute during the contest.
Fallon's U-20 team-mate Seán Canning, who made a huge impact when introduced, had another chance, but his effort from long range was plucked from under his own crossbar by goalkeeper, Bobby Douglas.
Mayo were 1-10 to 0-9 ahead at half time, with Seán Regan's 31st minute penalty the crucial score during the half. The lead-up to the penalty saw Roscommon lose their goalkeeper, Enda Lawless, to a black card, but they still kept plugging away.
When Mayo's best player, Cormac Phillips, gathered Conal Hession's long, raking delivery and fired to the net in the 49th minute, the visitors had one foot in the final, leading by six points at one stage.
But the Roscommon response was magnificent. Brendan Mulry goaled after a free from Robbie Fallon came back off the post.
Mayo began to wobble as further scores from Fallon (free), Hardiman (one from play and a free) and Canning left just one between them.
Mulry duly delivered the equaliser, but the winning score wouldn't come, leaving Roscommon to reflect on what might have been.
