Ros' hurlers lose out as football ace inspires Mayo

Mayo 1-20 Roscommon 1-9

Football encounters between Roscommon and Mayo attract far more attention than those with the small ball - and, interestingly, it was a player better known as a footballer who inspired Mayo to victory in last Saturday's hurling clash at Dr Hyde Park.

Former Mayo football star Keith Higgins scored 1-5 as the men green and red proved too strong for Roscommon in Division 2B of the Allianz Hurling League.

Roscommon will be anxiously looking over their shoulders now following back-to-back defeats, having lost narrowly to Donegal in their opening game (1-13 to 1-11).

On the other hand, Mayo boosted their promotion chances and can now look forward with anticipation to a repeat of last year’s Nicky Rackard Cup final when they travel to Donegal this Sunday. The Rossies have no game this weekend in a five-team division which also includes Kildare and Derry.

It was tit for tat in the first quarter, with scores from Mayo captain Higgins (free), Adrian Phillips and Shane Boland each cancelled out respectively by Eoghan Costello, Adam Finnerty and Roscommon skipper Cathal Dolan with his first free of the afternoon.

Following the first water break, Boland sent over two frees, with Cathal Dolan (Four Roads) responding in kind. It would be Roscommon’s last score of the half, however, as Mayo upped the tempo and began to dominate in the middle of the park. Two further points from Higgins (one from a 65'), a monster free from Mayo goalkeeper Gerard Kelly and scores from Kieran Kiely, Cathal Freeman and a Shane Boland free saw Mayo lead by six at the interval, 0-11 to 0-5.

The conditions took a slippery turn as the rain poured down for the second half. But Johnny Keane's charges were back in the contest moments after the restart as a Dolan free from the halfway line fell short and Jack Lohan (St Dominic's) fired to the net from close range.

Dolan’s first point from play cancelled out Cathal Freeman’s second of the match before the game’s turning point. Roscommon full-back Sean Trundle (the Four Roads man plays football for St Brigid's) was sin-binned for ten minutes after bringing down Boland, and Freeman sent the resulting penalty over the bar.

The frantic action continued as Higgins sent over another 65’, with Oisin Coyle keeping Roscommon within touching distance. But the game would be all but over as a contest when Higgins' effort dropped short to Roscommon goalkeeper Enda Lawless only for him to fumble and watch the ball go over the line.

Shortly after substitute Corey Scahill extended Mayo’s lead, Roscommon were awarded a penalty but Dolan fired his shot against the post and wide. Mayo would see the game out with points from Brian Morley, Pearse McCann (two brilliant frees) and Corey Scahill to run out comfortable winners.

Man of the match

Keith Higgins (Mayo). Higgins has been simply immense since his return to inter-county hurling and his tally of 1-5 proved crucial in Mayo making it two wins from two. Roscommon captain Cathal Dolan also led by example as his scores in the first half kept his side in the game.

Mayo: Gerard Kelly (0-1f); Stephen Coyne, Michael Morley, Sean Kenny; John Cassidy, Pearse McCrann (0-2, 2f), David Kenny; Kieran Kiely (0-1), Daniel Huane; Adrian Phillips (0-1), Cathal Freeman (0-3), Sean Regan; Jason Coyne, Keith Higgins (1-5, 0-3 65’, 0-1f), Shane Boland (0-4, 3f). Subs: Brian Morley (0-1), Corey Scahill (0-2), Conor Henry, Eoin Delaney, Brian Hunt, Bobby Douglas, Conor Murray.

Roscommon: Enda Lawless; Paul Dolan, Darren Fallon, Sean Trundle; Eoghan Costello (0-1), Peter Kellehan, Eoin Coyle; Cathal Dolan (0-5, 3f), Ben McGahon; Oisin Coyle (0-1), Cathal Kenny, Naos Connaughton; Adam Finnerty (0-1), Conor Mulry, Jack Lohan (1-0). Subs: Jason Kilkenny, Aengus Lyons, Diarmuid Treacy, Connell Kennelly, Darragh Heavey, Cillian Egan, Shane Naughton (0-1).

Referee: Rory McGann (Clare).

- Stuart Tynan.