Mayo 0-21
Roscommon 0-9
MAYO cruised into this year’s Connacht senior football final after they trounced Roscommon in this afternoon’s semi-final tie in Castlebar.
James Horan’s side entered the game on the back of their emphatic quarter-final victory over Galway and they maintained the high standards they displayed in that game.
By the final whistle on this occasion they had 12 points to spare against John Evans Roscommon team. The result keeps alive Mayo’s ambition of claiming a third successive provincial crown as they get set to face either London or Leitrim in the decider on July 21st.
Two years ago there was only two points between the sides when they clashed in the Connacht decider but Mayo were the masters in this encounter as they outclassed their opponents.
Alan Freeman and Kevin McLoughlin all showed the way in the scoring stakes up front for Mayo. While the defensive trio of Keith Higgins, Donal Vaughan and Colm Boyle also came forward to get on the mark for Mayo.
Roscommon kicked the opening point of the game and it took Mayo 12 minutes to get off the mark. A great Karol Mannion point left Roscommon adrift by 0-3 to 0-2 but they were then outscored by ten points to two for the remainder of the half.
With a 0-13 to 0-4 cushion at the break, Mayo were firmly in control and despite Enda Smith and Senan Kilbride being on target for Roscommon in the second-half with neat points, they were never able to make significant inroads into Mayo’s advantage.
The life drained out of the game in the closing quarter as Mayo cruised to victory while Roscommon must now prepare for life in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
Mayo’s Alan Dillon and Karol Mannion of Roscommon.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Scorers for Mayo: Kevin McLoughlin 0-5 (0-4f), Alan Freeman 0-4 (0-3f), Colm Boyle, Darren Coen 0-2 each, Donal Vaughan, Keith Higgins, Alan Dillon, Richie Feeney, Enda Varley, Lee Keegan, Andy Moran 0-1 each.
Scorers for Roscommon: Senan Kilbride 0-3 (0-2f), Enda Smith 0-2, Kevin Higgins, Conor Devaney, Karol Mannion 0-1 each.
MAYO: David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites); Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchells), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Lee Keegan (Westport), Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe), Colm Boyle (Davitts); Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Richie Feeney (Castlebar Mitchels), Cathal Carolan (Crossmolina); Enda Varley (Garrymore), Alan Freeman (Aghamore), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber).
Subs: Kenneth O’Malley (Ballinrobe) for Clarke (35), Andy Moran (Ballaghadereen) for Carolan (44), Darren Coen (Hollymount-Carramore) for Varley (49), Shane McHale (Knockmore) for Cafferkey (54), Kevin Keane (Westport) for Higgins (59).
ROSCOMMON: Darren O’Malley (Michael Glavey’s); Neil Collins (St Kevin’s Castlerea), Niall Carty (Padraig Pearses), Seanie McDermott (Western Gaels); David Keenan (St Barry’s), Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses), Conor Daly (Padraig Pearses); Kevin Higgins (Western Gaels), Michael Finneran (St Dominic’s); Conor Devaney (Kilbride), Karol Mannion (St Brigid’s), Cathal Cregg (Western Gaels); Donal Smith (Boyle), Senan Kilbride (St Brigid’s), David O’Gara (Roscommon Gaels).
Subs: Cathal Shine (Clann na nGael) for Smith (35), Donal Shine (Clann na nGael) for Cregg (49), Enda Smith (Boyle) for O’Gara (51), Donal Ward (Western Gaels) for Keenan (59 mins), Colin Compton (Strokestown) for Higgins (61).
Referee: Michael Duffy (Sligo)
