Mayo retain Connacht minor title with power surge against Roscommon

Harry McHale of Mayo celebrates after his side's victory in the Connacht minor final against Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Electric Ireland Connacht MFC: Mayo 0-14 Roscommon 0-10

Mayo’s power surge in the final quarter procured a third Connacht minor football championship triumph against Roscommon at Dr. Hyde Park.

The defending champions justified their favourite's tag by taking command of a very competitive contest to run out deserving winners.

Over the 60 minutes, they made fewer mistakes and punished the ones Roscommon made, which included a black card for the home side’s goalkeeper, Patrick Gaynor, after he coughed up possession in the 51st minute as Roscommon finished the game with 14 players.

Roscommon made light of their underdogs status for three-quarters of the contest, and 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 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 40m 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 Cathal Enright 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 55m, 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 Curran, which he drilled over the crossbar.

The game’s pivotal moment arrived with nine minutes remaining when Roscommon goalkeeper Gaynor was caught in possession and subsequently dragged down Mayo substitute Joe Forry.

Wing-forward Alan Conroy took over as goalkeeper when Gaynor was shown a black card and McDonald pointed the resultant free.

From there, Mayo spurned a few more chances but they comfortably kept their opponents at arm’s length to successfully defend their title, win the Tom Kilcoyne Cup and set up an All-Ireland final meeting against Cork.

Scorers for Mayo: K McDonald 0-6 (0-5f), O Deane 0-3, E Walsh 0-2 (0-1f), C Moriarty 0-1, A Quinn 0-1, J Forry 0-1.

Scorers for Roscommon: D Curran 0-4 (0-2f), D Casey 0-3 (0-1f), C Enright 0-1, A Conroy 0-1, S Tighe 0-1.

Mayo: N Roddy; C Coghill, T Hession, D Butler; D Hurley, M Noonan, M Sheeran; J Moyles, O Loughney; H McHale, K McDonald, D Flynn; E. Walsh, O Deane, C Moriarty. Subs: A Quinn for Moriarty (h-t), J Forry for McHale (43).

Roscommon: P Gaynor; L Finneran, G Casey, C Murray; E Collins, K Kelly, D Kennedy; D Devaney, C Enright; J McKeon, D Curran, A Conroy; S Tighe, S McGuinness, D Casey. 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).