Roscommon's Ben O'Carroll has a shot blocked down by Mayo's Tommy Conroy, right, as Stephen Coen awaits developments during the Connacht SFC semi-final at Dr Hyde Park. Photo: GAA.ie/Sportsfile.

Mayo's power and pace too much for Rossies

Kieran Galvin

Published: Mon 22 Apr 2024, 7:41 AM

Last updated: Mon 22 Apr 2024, 7:42 AM

Mayo 1-15 Roscommon 0-13

In a week in which the Roscommon U20s advanced to the Connacht final, and the minors defeated Galway, the county's senior team was unable to make it a treble of victories when Mayo emerged as deserving winners at Dr Hyde Park yesterday (Sunday).

Roscommon were well placed in this Connacht SFC semi-final at half-time, just a point adrift (1-6 to 0-8), despite Aidan O'Shea firing in an early Mayo goal.

But in a repeat of a pattern seen in many of this year's league games, Roscommon faded in the second half and Mayo's athleticism and pace proved too much for the home side.

In front of an official attendance of 13,967 amid glorious sunshine, Ryan O’Donoghue excelled for Mayo with a tally of 0-7 (three from play) and he was chosen for the official man of the match award.

Diarmuid Murtagh (0-5) and Daire Cregg (0-4) led the way in the scoring stakes for Roscommon.

Inspired by Murtagh, Roscommon responded to O'Shea's superbly taken goal and drew level by the 32nd minute (1-4 to 0-7). Ben O'Carroll, who started despite being listed as a substitute, also got on the scoresheet, but Roscommon were never able to get their noses in front.

Points from Fergal Boland and O’Donoghue (a free) edged Mayo ahead ahead, before Cregg converted his second free to leave the minimum between them at the interval.

Cregg brought the Rossies level again two minutes into the second half, but Davy Burke’s charges were unable to build on this platform.

The searing pace in the Mayo ranks soon came to the fore as they moved clear. Tommy Conroy became more prominent, substitute Conor Loftus sent over two points, while O'Donoghue continued to be a beacon up front.

Roscommon wing-backs Niall Daly (Pádraig Pearses) and Eoin McCormack (St Dominic's) raided forward and send over points to keep their side's hopes alive. But once Mayo took command in the second period, the home side never really looked like turning things around.

Kevin McStay's men ran out winners with a degree of comfort in the end and they will meet Galway - who edged out unlucky Sligo with a stoppage time goal on Saturday - in the Connacht final on Sunday week at Pearse Stadium.

Having been relegated from Division 1 of the Allianz Football League, Roscommon will now have to pick up the pieces in the Sam Maguire Cup group stages

Scorers - Mayo: R O’Donoghue 0-7 (3f, 1 mark); A O’Shea 1-1; F Boland, T Conroy, C Loftus 0-2 each; P Durcan 0-1. Roscommon: D Murtagh 0-5 (2f); D Cregg 0-4 (2f); B O’Carroll, D Smith, N Daly and E McCormack 0-1 each.

Mayo: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Sam Callinan; Paddy Durcan, David McBrien, Donnacha McHugh; Stephen Coen, Matthew Ruane; Jordan Flynn, Ryan O’Donoghue, Jack Carney; Fergal Boland, Aidan O’Shea, Tommy Conroy. Subs: Enda Hession for McHugh (h-t), Conor Loftus for Durcan (47 mins), Bob Tuohy for O’Shea (59), Paul Towey for Flynn (63), Pádraig O’Hora for Coyne (66).

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; David Murray, Brian Stack, Niall Higgins, Niall Daly, Ruaidhrí Fallon, Eoin McCormack; Enda Smith, Ultan Harney; Dylan Ruane, Daire Cregg, Ronan Daly; Ben O’Carroll, Diarmuid Murtagh, Donie Smith. Subs: Patrick Gavin for Murray (29 mins), Tadhg O’Rourke for Ruane (50), Shane Cunnane for R Daly (59), Conor Cox for D Smith (63), James Fitzpatrick for Harney (66).

Referee: Séan Hurson (Tyrone).