Roscommon Juniors take Connacht title

Roscommon 2-9 Mayo 0-10

Roscommon claimed back-to-back Connacht Junior Football Championship titles thanks to a comfortable five-point win over Mayo at Pairc Sean Mhic Diarmuda, Carrick-on-Shannon this afternoon.

A physically stronger Roscommon outfit burst out of the blocks in the opening stages and led by 1-2 to 0-0 after just five minutes.

Points from Clement McCormack and Paul Garvan arrived either side of a Donal Ward goal as the 'Primrose and Blue' quickly built up a five-point advantage.

Mayo bounced back well and over the 25-minute spell which remained until half-time, they matched the eventual winners well, but Roscommon still held a commanding 1-6 to 0-3 lead at the break.

Scores from James McAndrew, James Rafter and Marcus Hannigan kept Mayo in touch but Roscommon were certainly on top with former Senior player Ronan Cox performing superbly.

However Mayo launched a more determined comeback on the restart, with a trio of McAndrew scores in succession, to level the tie at 1-7 apiece ten minutes into the second half.

But Roscommon's second goal killed off the game as a contest with Ronan Kelly on target after Ronan Cox's initial shot had come off the upright.

Fintan Ruddy and Damien Byrne kept Mayo in contention but Roscommon held out for a comfortable win.