Second-half Mayo surge sets up Connacht final meeting with Galway
Jordan Flynn of Mayo at Dr. Hyde Park Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor
Ryan O’Donoghue and Aidan O’Shea propelled Mayo into the Connacht final after they comfortably accounted for Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park.
Kevin McStay’s charges turned on the after-burners in the third quarter to put some distance between the teams after the visitors only led by a point at half-time.
O’Donoghue continued his excellent form with a seven-point contribution, always making himself available for a pass and proving to be a nuisance for the Roscommon rearguard.
O’Shea was also back to his best and his early goal gave his side the platform for success.
Mayo made the brighter start, with captain Paddy Durcan splitting the posts in the fourth minute.
A couple of early turnovers from the visitors nourished confidence levels further, and when O’Shea cut across the face of goal and found the net in the eighth minute, Mayo were firmly in control.
But Roscommon, led by Diarmuid Murtagh, settled, with the St Faithleach’s forward opening his side’s account.
Ryan O’Donoghue responded for Mayo but a hat-trick of points from Diarmuid Murtagh and Daire Cregg left it 1-2 to 0-4 after 20 minutes.
The remainder of the half saw the sides exchange scores, although Ben O’Carroll will feel he should have done better with a presentable goal chance that was snuffed out by the Mayo defence.
The St. Brigid’s player did find the target with the help of an upright before O’Donoghue and Donie Smith swapped scores.
Murtagh brought the sides level after 32 minutes before rapid-fire scores from Fergal Boland and O’Donoghue (free) edged Mayo ahead.
There was still time for Daire Cregg to grab his second free of the half to leave just a point in it at the break, 1-6 to 0-8 in favour of Mayo.
Daire Cregg brought the hosts level two minutes into the second half, but that was as good as it got for Davy Burke’s men.
Mayo gained a significant foothold around the middle of the field and picked up the majority of breaking ball. They subsequently upped the ante and their searing pace allowed them to eventually cut through the Roscommon defence with ease with Tommy Conroy, the superb O’Donoghue and O’Shea all finding the target.
Roscommon quickly ran out of ideas and started making basis errors. In the end, the second half ended up being a carbon copy of the majority of their league performances, and they faded out of the contest.
A brace of points from wing-backs Niall Daly and Eoin McCormack just about keep them in touch. But there was never a sense that the Rossies could cause an upset even tough Enda Smith blazed a goal chance wide.
Conor Loftus marked his introduction with two points off the bench for Mayo. O’Donoghue (free), Boland and Conroy also added scores as Mayo gained revenge for last year’s defeat in Castlebar and qualified for the Connacht final against Galway in two weeks’ time.
R. O’Donoghue (0-7, 0-3 frees, 0-1 mark), A. O’Shea 1-1, F. Boland, T Conroy, C Loftus (0-2 each), P. Durcan (0-1)
D. Murtagh (0-5, 0-2 frees), D. Cregg (0-4, 0-2 frees), B. O’Carroll, D. Smith, N. Daly, E. McCormack (0-1 each).
: C. Reape; J. Coyne, R. Brickenden, S. Callinan; P. Durcan, D. McBrien, D. McHugh; S. Coen, M. Ruane; J. Carney, R. O’Donoghue, J. Flynn; F. Boland, A. O’Shea, T. Conroy.
E. Hession for McHugh (h-t), C. Loftus for Durcan (47), B. Tuohy for O’Shea (59), P. Towey for Flynn (63), P. O’Hora for Coyne (66).
C. Carroll; D. Murray, B. Stack, N. Higgins, N. Daly, R. Fallon, E. McCormack; E. Smith, U. Harney; D. Ruane, D. Cregg, R. Daly; B. O’Carroll, D. Murtagh, D. Smith.
P. Gavin for Murray (29), T. O’Rourke for Ruane (50), S. Cunnane for R. Daly (59), C. Cox for D. Smith (63), J. Fitzpatrick for Harney (66).
S Hurson (Tyrone).
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