Mistakes cost minors as Mayo complete three-in-a-row
Roscommon full-forward Shay McGuinness gathers possession against Mayo during Friday evening's Connacht minor football final. Picture: INPHO/James Lawlor
Roscommon produced a gusty performance at Dr. Hyde Park this evening, but it wasn't enough to stop Mayo from completing their three-in-a-row of Connacht minor football titles.
James Duignan's men were every bit as competitive as the reigning champions, and the sides were deadlocked 0-7 apiece after 36 minutes.
But the effort in getting to the point eventually caught up with the home side as Mayo, led by Oisín Deane and Kobe McDonald, punished basic Roscommon errors in the final 20 minutes.
Once Roscommon goalkeeper, Patrick Gaynor, was caught in possession and pulled down Mayo substitute Joe Forry, the home side's challenge was made even harder when Gaynor was inevitably shown a black card and McDonald pushed his side four points ahead from the resultant straightforward free with nine minutes remaining.
There was little to choose between the teams during the opening side.
Both sides fared better on the opposition’s kickout as Roscommon tried to beat a relentless Mayo press that started high up the field.
Oisín Deane opened the scoring for the visitors after Evan Walsh snaffled a kickout from Roscommon goalkeeper, Patrick Gaynor.
But a great catch by Roscommon midfielder, Darragh Devaney, ignited a move that procured the equalising score for Dean Casey.
Walsh restored Mayo’s lead from an acute angle but a couple of frees from Dara Curran handed the Rossies a 0-3 to 0-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Mayo had to bide their time to work their openings and their patience was rewarded with points for Conor Moriarity and Kobe McDonald.
Alan Conroy brought the sides level once more before a McDonald free from 40 metres edged Mayo back in front.
But a crucial Roscommon turnover in the final meaningful action of the half saw the home team work the ball upfield, leading to Stephen Tighe landing an audacious equaliser with the outside of his boot to leave the sides deadlocked, 0-5 apiece, at the break.
By the 36th minute, it was 0-7 apiece as Curran and Casey exchanged scores with Deane and Walsh (free), and it was anybody’s game.
But Mayo’s strength began to tell as they started to punish Roscommon’s mounting error count.
McDonald landed a delightful free from 55 metres, and further scores followed from Deane and substitute Andrew Quinn.
But Roscommon came again and a Dean Casey point was followed by a goal chance for Darragh Devaney, which he drilled over the crossbar.
The game’s pivotal moment arrived with nine minutes remaining when Roscommon goalkeeper, Patrick Gaynor, was caught in possession and subsequently dragged down Mayo substitute, Joe Forry.
Gaynor was shown a black card and McDonald pointed the resultant free. Wing-forward Alan Conroy deputised between the posts for the remainder of the contest.
From there, Mayo, who missed a number of late chances, comfortably kept their Rossies at arm’s length to successfully defend their title and win the Tom Kilcoyne Cup.
For Roscommon, they must dust themselves down for the challenge of Kerry in two weeks' time.
Mayo: N. Roddy; C. Coghill, T. Hession, D. Butler; D. Hurley, M. Noonan, M. Sheeran; J. Moyles, O. Loughney; H. McHale, K. McDonald (0-6, 0-5f), D. Flynn; E. Walsh (0-2, 0-1f), O. Deane (0-3), C. Moriarty (0-1). Subs: A. Quinn (0-1) for Moriarty (h-t), J. Forry (0-1) for McHale (43).
Roscommon: P. Gaynor; L. Finneran, G. Casey, C. Murray; E. Collins, K. Kelly, D. Kennedy; D. Devaney (0-1), C. Enright; J. McKeon, D. Curran (0-3, 0-2f), A. Conroy (0-1); S. Tighe (0-1), S. McGuinness, D. Casey (0-4, 0-1f). Subs: S. McDonnell for McKeon (41), M. Connaughton for Kennedy (48), S. Malec-Hannon for Tighe (57), M. Brooks for G. Casey (58), J. Oates for D. Casey (60).
Referee: C. Ryan (Galway).
