Mulry magic helps Roscommon win Nickey Rackard
Robbie Fallon celebrates after scoring his side's third goal that guided them to an historic win. Picture: INPHO/Ben Brady
Roscommon were crowned Nickey Rackard Cup champions as Brendan Mulry’s 62nd minute score helped Kevin Sammon’s men defy the odds to beat a wasteful Mayo.
After losing to Mayo twice this year by a combined total of 26 points, Roscommon produced a display filled with defiance and steel to upset a Mayo outfit who registered 20 wides in the game.
Mayo led this game by 1-21 to 3-12 after 67 minutes but Roscommon fired over the last four scores with three of those coming in injury time.
Mayo were justifying their favourites tag in the early stages as they moved in to a deserved 0-9 to 0-3 lead after 16 minutes. Despite some uncharacteristic misses, the Mayo midfield eight were dominating the Roscommon restarts as they quickly realised Kevin Sammon’s men were targeting Brendan Mulry on the Hogan Stand side of the field.
Even though a Robbie Fallon free got Roscommon off the mark after the lively Liam Lavin had opened Mayo’s account, Mayo soon took over. Their pace from deep was causing problems as six different players grabbed their opening nine scores.
Eoghan Collins was dictating proceedings from deep while Ryan Duffy and Lavin were dangerous up front. But, just as Roscommon supporters feared their side were slipping away, Sean Canning cut through the Mayo defence and although his goal attempt flew over the top, it started a run of 1-4 without reply.
All of a sudden, Roscommon’s touch was crisper, their decision making improved while Mayo started to appear edgy, registering 11 opening half wides. Then, Conor Mulry won an Enda Lawless puckout before feeding Canning, who sliced through and fired in a sensational goal.
Even though Kieran McDermott responded for Mayo as did Boland after another Canning effort, Roscommon were far from done in the opening half. Conor Cosgrove blocked Cormac Phillips’ point attempt before the Roscommon joint captain’s long delivery was flicked to the net by Brendan Mulry, ensuring Roscommon led 2-8 to 0-11 at half time.
Mayo almost found the net in the opening throes of the second half as Eoghan Collins was denied by a terrific reflex block from Enda Lawless. Roscommon were able to go score for score with Mayo as Darragh Finn (free), Eoin Fitzgerald and Robbie Fallon (free) helped keep their side three in front.
Mayo cut the gap to one through Boland (free) and Jason Coyne but Roscommon were far from rattled. Sub Ben McGahon increased the lead before Robbie Fallon rattled the net after excellent work from Cian Murray and Liam Óg Coyle.
Despite struggling with their accuracy, Mayo struck back with a quickfire 1-5 as their Croke Park experience showed. In the 57th minute Mayo struck as Cormac Phillips fielded a booming Bobby Dougles delivery. He offloaded to Boland who picked out Eoin Delaney and the full forward made no mistake.
Mayo nearly extended that advantage when Mark Phillips forced Lawless into a decent stop. The pre match favourites led by three but Roscommon produced the most incredible finish as Ben McGahon (free), Conor Mulry, Eoin Kiernan levelled the game before Brendan Mulry showed nerves of steel to ensure Roscommon sealed a famous win.
**Full report and reaction in Tuesday's Roscommon Herald**
