Mayo scored a two point win over Roscommon as the late comeback fell just short in Dr Hyde Park.
Mayo flew into a seven point to no score lead after 18 minutes, writes Jack Gannon.
It wasn’t until the 20th minute until Roscommon got off the mark through Diarmuid Murtagh. Murtagh would then get his and Roscommon’s second point six minutes later.
Mayo were able to disrupt Roscommons momentum with a well-taken score from James Carr before Murtagh scored a third point for the hosts.
Conor Daly reduced the deficit to just four points on 34 minutes, although it was Cillian O’Connor who got the last score of the half. The score at the break was four points to nine.
The second-half was much more positive for the Rossies. It started with a fine score from Ciaran Murtagh on 36 minutes.
Mayo went six points to the good with two scores in three minutes. The score after 40 minutes was five points to eleven.
The sides traded three points as Enda Smith and Diarmuid Murtagh were on target for the hosts.
All hope for a Roscommon comeback looked all but over when Jack Carney capitalised on a poor mistake from the Roscommon defence. Carney put the ball in the back of an empty net on 49 minutes.
Roscommon would have a resurgence. Two points from Daire Cregg and Tadhg O’Rourke and a superb goal from Enda Smith reduced Mayo’s lead to three points. The scoreline read 1-09 to 1-12.
The sides would trade another three scores as Conor Cox got his name on the scoresheet. Two points in as many minutes from the visitors seemed to kill off a Roscommon comeback but Davy Burke’s side refused to lie down as Ciaran Murtagh converted a free on 67 minutes.
Conor Cox was able to put the ball in the back of Mayo’s net for the second time in 15 minutes to make it a one point game.
Mayo stayed firm however and a well taken point from Matthew Ruane in added time proved to be the last score of the game.
