Rossies denied Connacht treble as Mayo set up clash with Westmeath

 

By Kieran Galvin

Roscommon's hopes of completing a three of in a row of Connacht minor titles were ended by Mayo at Castlebar yesterday (Sunday).

Two early goals - scored by Darragh Doherty and Liam Irwin - gave Mayo the platform to claim victory at McHale Park. Although Roscommon eventually settled into the game, they still trailed by 2-4 to 0-5 at half-time.

A third Mayo goal early in the second half, Conor Loftus the scorer this time, gave Roscommon an even steeper hill to climb.

Despite being guilty of some wasteful finishing, Roscommon refused to give up and a late goal from a penalty by Diarmuid Murtagh ensured a tense finish. However, Mayo held on to win on a 3-7 to 1-10 scoreline.

Diarmuid Murtagh and Diarmuid McGann did the bulk of the scoring for Roscommon, but Senan Farrell (St Dominic's) and team captain Ronan Daly (Padraig Pearses) were also among the scorers for Fergal O'Donnell's charges.

Mayo's victory means they will face Leinster runners-up Westmeath in the All-Ireland quarter-finals, while Roscommon will take on Leinster champions Kildare.

The All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals are due to be played on Saturday August 3rd/Monday August 5th.

 

All-Ireland MFC Quarter-finals

Kildare v Roscommon

Mayo v Westmeath

Monaghan v Tipperary

Kerry v Tyrone

 

*See this week's Westmeath Independent for a full report on the Connacht final between Roscommon and Mayo.