Mayo minors suffer defeat to ruthless Roscommon

Connacht Minor Championship

Mayo 0-13

Roscommon 2-17

In Castlebar

It was Good Friday, and for Roscommon, it was a great Friday as the visitors came to MacHale Park and were fully deservedly victors against a Mayo side who failed to fire especially in the third quarter.

Diarmuid Byrne’s Mayo side got off to a bad start as Cathal Nerney was alert to guide the ball to the back of the net within the opening two minutes. With Mayo failing to deal with a high ball around the box, Nerney, the Roscommon Gaels player, was there to force the ball past Rowan McLoughlin in the Mayo goal.

The Green and Red came into it with inside forwards Fiachra Ó’Cinnseala and Charlie Fallon impressing early on. The 'Rossies, managed by Charlestown native Shane Moran were excellent throughout as their tigerish defence appeared to launch dangerous attacks on numerous occasions. Conor Hoban kicked an excellent two pointer for Mayo in the opening half but Roscommon’s superb Jayden Jennings matched it with a fine effort against the wind.

Going in at the break, Mayo trailed 1-7 to 0-7.

Fiachra Ó’Cinnseala, one of Mayo’s bright sparks opened the fresh half with a fine score but the hosts then went 17 minutes without scoring as Roscommon tagged on 0-7 in an impressive spell. Midfielder Seamie Carthy gave an exhibition of kicking on the night as the Roscommon player finished with 0-6 while Jayden Jennings kicked 0-5 including two excellent two pointers. 

Credit to Mayo, they battled gamely but Roscommon ran out convincing winners as they sit top of the Connacht table while Mayo look forward to an outing next Friday away to Sligo.

A full match report plus reaction will be carried in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.

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