Key stat that could hold the key to beating Mayo in the Hyde
Ciarán Cafferky (right), alongside former Roscommon team-mate Cathal Cregg, is the only Roscommon player to score a goal in the championship against Mayo at Dr. Hyde Park since 2001. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Grealy
It’s the one stat that keeps cropping up when Roscommon welcome Mayo to Dr. Hyde Park — that the Rossies haven’t beaten their western rivals at home in the championship since 2001.
A heaving Dr. Hyde Park celebrated wildly as Gerry Lohan struck two goals in the final ten minutes, the second coming deep into injury time to famously rescue victory from the jaws of defeat.
Since then, it has been mostly one-way traffic with only the games in 2011 and 2014 decided late on.
But here’s the thing. There’s another stat that could hold the key to the difference between victory and another defeat on Saturday evening when the two counties collide once more.
In 2019 and 2023 when Roscommon banished their MacHale Park demons, goals were the key in getting the job done.
In the Hyde, no Roscommon forward has scored a goal against Mayo in the championship since Gerry Lohan 23 years ago. That's barely credible.
In 2014 when Roscommon, under John Evans, threatened a rare upset, it was wing-back Ciarán Cafferky who ambled forward and planted the ball into the corner of the net in the scoreboard end of the Hyde.
So goals are the key, and Gerry Lohan would only be too glad to finally pass on the baton to another Roscommon forward on Saturday evening.
2001: Roscommon 2-10, Mayo 1-12
2005: Mayo 1-16, Roscommon 0-11
2011: Mayo 0-11, Roscommon 0-9
2014: Mayo 0-13, Roscommon 1-9
2020: Mayo 1-16, Roscommon 0-13
2024: Mayo 1-15, Roscommon 0-13
