Mayo snatch victory late on after rip-roaring Ros' rally

With both finalists of the 2012 FBD Connacht SFL (Mayo and NUIG) known before a ball was kicked in the final round of the competition last weekend, Sunday's confrontation at sunny Ballinlough between the 2011 Connacht finalists was effectively a dead rubber with only bragging rights between these keenest of rivals at stake. It was, however, of further importance to a Primrose and Blue squad who, having drawn with GMIT and lost to Leitrim in earlier rounds, were desperately seeking a win over to build confidence prior to that extremely tricky first round NFL Division 3 meeting with Tipperary at Kiltoom on Sunday week, February 5. Roscommon manager Des Newton and his selectors must plan for this searching test without the club-tied St Brigid's contingent, but will be augmented by players returning from college duties and some from injury. Thoughts of upcoming key league tussles were, thus, very much on the minds of home supporters at the well-appointed Michael Glavey's H/Q on a beautifully sunny Sunday afternoon where a sizable attendance gathered to run the rule over their respective favourites. Surprisingly James Horan's side didn't include goalgetter-extraordinaire Danny Kirby, who put four past GMIT a week earlier at Ballinrobe, nor was he introduced during the game. Taking results to date into consideration, the first quarter at Ballinlough went along expected lines. The re-cast Roscommon defence acquitted themselves reasonably well in an opening quarter where the Green and Red were just marginally ahead on the scoreboard (0-3 to 0-2). A punched 4th minute Pat Harte point edged Mayo ahead, but Castlerea's Ger Heneghan's left footed shot had the sides level 2 minutes later. Alan Freeman and goalkeeper David Clarke ('45', upholding a latter day tradition of scoring custodians) restored the visitors' lead, but Heneghan again showed the way with a rousing Ros' response. From this stage, at the end of a rather tame 15 minutes, until referee Ray McBrien's half-time whistle, this game became the Conor Mortimer show. The Shrule/Glencorrib sharpshooter showed his wide range of talents, giving his immediate opponent a torrid time in the process. Augmented by the attacking wing-back duo of Richie Feeney and the highly impressive Chris Barrett, Mortimer made good use of the supply provided, firing over 4 points (2 frees) to stretch his teams lead over opponents who failed to raise a flag in this quarter. Mortimer almost goaled in the 18th minute when his bullet-like shot slammed off the crossbar, but, at the other end it took alert goalkeeping by David Clarke to deal with a dangerous centre from Roscommon centre-back Enda Kenny. Roscommon were finding it difficult, due to the quick tackling Mayo half-back line and midfielders, to supply decent ball to their inside forward trio who were practically starved of possession and it was clear that corrective action would have to be taken to get back into contention. And so, at the short whistle, Mayo looked well placed for another victory over their Western rivals as they led by 0-7 to 0-2. When midfielder Seamus O'Shea pointed after just 27 seconds to increase his side's lead to 6 points, the portents looked grim for Des Newton's men. We didn't realise it then, but the Roscommon team management would make a vital switch which charged the entire complexion of this tie. Donal Shine was moved from full-forward to midfield in a swap with prolific scorer Kevin Higgins and the move transformed a hitherto rather sluggish Primrose and Blue. A brace of points from Darren McDermott and Donal Shine (free) was responded to by Mortimer and Alan Freeman, but the clear signs of a Roscommon revival were evident when Higgins and Shine (2, 1 free) brought their side's total to 0-7. Mayo, however, responded when Mortimer (free) and the just-introduced Andy Moran added points to put 5 between the teams again. Mayo had also introduced Ballintubber prodigy Cillian O'Connor but, with the Donal Shine/Michael Finneran partnership having assumed control in the vital midfield sector, Roscommon launched all-out attack which would level the contest. With 10 minutes remaining, the Roscommon faithful present were on song when Kevin Higgins, revelling in his forward role, unleashed an absolute screamer for a truly brilliant goal to throw the issue wide open. A foul on Michael Finneran earned a free, pointed by John Rogers, but, at the other end, Cillian O'Connor drew a point blank save from Castlerea's Geoffrey Claffey in the Roscommon goal. Amidst high excitement Donal Shine forced a 58th minute '45' which he unerringly pointed to level the contest. In those pressure-cooker closing stages, Mayo had to call on all their experience to re ignite their challenge and were rewarded with 2 points courtesy of Barry Moran and Alan Dillon. Roscommon had an injury-time chance to win it, but Enda Kenny's fine effort was just inches wide and while Mayo held on, Roscommon showed terrific spirit in their fightback. Scorers - Mayo: C Mortimer 0-6 (3f), A Freeman 0-2, P Harte, S O'Shea, A Moran, B Moran, A Dillon, D Clarke ('45') 0-1 each. Roscommon: K Higgins 1-1; D Shine 0-4 (2 '45's, 1f); G Heneghan 0-2, D McDermott 0-1, J Rogers 0-1f. Mayo: David Clarke, Keith Higgins, Shane McHale, Lee Keegan, Richie Feeney, Donal Vaughan, Chris Barrett, Seamus O'Shea, Jason Gibbons, Kevin McLoughlin, Alan Dillon, Pat Harte, Alan Freeman, Barry Moran, Conor Mortimer. Subs: Conor Campbell (goals) for Clarke (h/t); Michael Walsh for Higgins (37); Alan Feeney for Vaughan (37); Andy Moran for Mortimer; Cillian O'Connor for McLoughlin (48). Roscommon: Geoffrey Claffey, Sean McDermott, Michael Higgins, Jack Sharkey, Cathal Dineen, Enda Kenny, Sean Purcell, Michael Finneran, Kevin Higgins, Ger Heneghan, Conor Daly, Darren McDermott, Conor Devaney, Donal Shine, John Rogers. Subs: Scott Oates for Darren McDermott (48); Matt Scally for Daly (59); Daniel Rogers for Devaney (59). Referee: Ray McBrien (Leitrim).