The fan's view: What do Mayo supporters think about the match against Roscommon?

The Mayo News interviewed Mayo supporters as they left Hyde Park. There was happiness with the result, but thoughts were already turning to the challenges waiting down the line. 

Ruth McNeela and Jake Fahy
“The first half was a bit wishy-washy. It was touch and go. We have a lot to improve on. The kick-outs were hit and miss. And the goalie coming out, Colm Reape isn't the only one doing it, I'm not a fan of that tactic, they need to stay back. Mayo aren't at the level they need to be. There will be a lot tougher tests. Even the Connacht final against Galway will be a lot tougher.”

John Walsh from Belmullet
“Every time Roscommon seemed to have a comeback, Mayo had bit more of a push on. The substitutes from Mayo in the second half were a lot better than Roscommon's. The goal at the start was crucial. It kept Mayo ahead. We are over the line with the first one. We truck on to the next one and see how it goes. Wont get too far ahead of ourselves.”

John Morran
“Mayo's workrate throhgout was better than Roscommon's. And the scores came at vital times particularly the display from Aidan O'Shea was unreal. His work rate inside the forwards and in field, his last touch on his own 45m line defending, the oldest man on the pitch the hardest working. The forwards get the scores if they get quick supply from the midfield. Sometimes the delivery through from defense and the middle section is too slow. If they speed that up, that will increase their scoring rate.”

Tony Lynskey from Swinford
“It was solid enough, they did ok. It was good to see O'Shea score. I like to see them get the ball into the full forward line quicker. Passing left and right is a bit hard to watch. A lot of positives today. O'Donoghue can't do it all by himself. But down the line I don't think we have the firepower for the big ones like Kerry, Derry or Dublin. A win is a win, we're still swinging.”

Pat Lydon with Conny and Ciara Lydon from Ballinrobe
“In the first half Mayo were aimless really they controlled the second half, got a grip on Roscommon and they really pushed on. There is never a full seventy minutes from anybody but when you're on top you've got to push it home. At least in the second half Mayo kept the scoreboard ticking over. Ryan O'Donoghue is still the man. He gets the scores.“

Peter McDonagh from Geesala
“I was never 100% worried that we were going to lose the game. Once five minutes into the second half, I was sure we were going to win it. We can play better, but I acknowledge sometimes you have to wait for an opening in the defense. We still find it very hard to break down a packed defense. Mayo are at their best, when they move the ball rapidly. But the most important part is we are in the Connacht final now.”

Shay O'Connor and Eileen O'Donoghue
“A more ruthless Mayo side would have put Roscommon to the sword. We had a great start into the second half and then we just eased off. I don't know why, maybe the lack the killer instinct. When you are in control you need to stay in control, that's what we will have to do against the bigger teams. Mayo seem to take the foot off the pedal at some stage and they can't do that. A player who impressed me was Conor Loftus when he came on. A scored and had a great performance. On the other hand Colm Reape almost gave me a heart attack. Why does he do that? He was lucky, he got caught out. We were lucky in that respect.”

Kieran McNicholas
“Always good to beat the Rossies, no matter how you do it. Our forwards were good today, I'm happy. We haven't learned too much though from today's performance. This match was just slow and steady, get the job done, and build towards Galway. They wasted a couple of chances, they could have had one or two more goals. They played the possession game.

M.D. Muntaser
“It was my first Mayo match. I think they were smart about their tactics, how they passed the ball.”