SuperValu Sam: Mindset the key to changing poor Hyde record against Mayo

This is going on too long — 23 years and counting to be exact.

Gerry Lohan’s Connacht final winning goal of 2001 was the last championship victory for Roscommon over Mayo in Dr. Hyde Park.

That’s simply unacceptable. But generations of players have been accepting it.

Since then, we’ve seen Roscommon teams march into Pearse Stadium in Galway and MacHale Park in Castlebar with a controlled level of aggression and resentment, coupled with a sense of belief and structure, that has yielded great championship victories.

So why can’t Roscommon apply those principles when it comes to their home patch?

Sam has said it before and I say it again — I can’t remember in this parish when a Roscommon player delivered a legal (barely on the edge) hit on a player in front of their home supporters. But they have watched opposition players do it for years. There has been a sense of acceptance. Instead of taking such things personally.

In the lead-up to Saturday’s game, all forms of levels, targets and figures will be discussed — from the number of long kickouts, to how often to press the kickout. There will be many discussions on the match-ups, and the need to minimise the number of turnovers. There will be consideration given again to the fact that Mayo will feel they can make inroads with their full-forward line.

Likewise, following on from last Saturday, building on the confidence levels of Roscommon’s inside line, much focus will be on repeating the pattern. Though the Hyde is not Croke Park, and there won’t be the same space either way.

It's remarkable to think Roscommon did well for such long spells against Dublin, without players such as Brian Stack and Enda Smith being key to that. Former Kerry players often note they’re very wary of top players having quiet games — for they’re unlikely to be as quiet two games running.

How Roscommon teams have recorded great victories for decades at away venues is admirable. But how the record is so poor at home remains a mystery. Home advantage is considered to be worth a few points to most teams. Let’s face it — it has been worth nothing to Roscommon over the years in the Hyde.

And until that changes, players won’t relish big games there. They’ll always bring pressure. A pressure that doesn’t exist when a team are big outsiders playing at an away venue.

Roscommon need to think a little like two counties in the 2000s, who may be from Ulster, when it comes to home games.

Mayo travel to the Hyde with a sense of entitlement again on Saturday. With an attitude that they should win. A mindset that suggests they think they own it. And until Roscommon’s mindset changes, they’re well within their rights to think that way.

Have you a question or comment or would you like something to be highlighted in this column? If so, email: supervalusam@gmail.com.