Some crumbs of comfort as Mayo lose to Roscommon
Mayo’s joint managers Tom Reilly and David Heaney will find more than a few crumbs of comfort following the team's defeat to Roscommon in round three of the Connacht Under 17 Football Championship, the hosts winning by 4-15 to 3-9 in King & Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park, writes Kevin Egan.
There were unmissable warning signs planted by the Rossies on their home soil, particularly in the first 25 minutes of the second half when they outscored Mayo by 2-6 to 0-1 despite playing into a deceptively strong breeze.
Biggest and brightest of the silver linings on a dark cloud of an evening was the way Mayo had worked their way back into the tie despite falling 2-3 to 0-0 behind when they lost their way in the opening 10 minutes.
Their performances at half-back and midfield in particular should be very encouraging, while Conor Hession up front also showed more than enough to suggest that he has a very bright future ahead.
None of that will mitigate what was a complete collapse after half-time, however, even allowing for the quality of this Roscommon side which now has their Connacht final place secured with one game against winless Leitrim still to play.
Next up for Mayo , meanwhile, is a round four clash with Sligo in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, on Friday evening next (April 11).
Roscommon: Cian Trimble; Conor Tighe, Tadhg Rogers, Jack Brooks; Colm Fitzgerald, Diarmuid O’Higgins, Enda Browne (0-1); Seamus Hussey (0-1), Alex Oates (0-1); Christopher Feerick (1-0), Sam Hannon (0-7, 2tp, 1 tpf), Seamie Carthy; Shay McGuinness, Dara Curran (2-4, 4f), Luke Shally (1-0).
Subs used: Adam Killian, Dean Casey (0-1), David Mannion, John Price, Tadhg Fallon, Bríon O’Dowd (0-1).
Mayo: Thomas Williams; Conor Coghill, Cian May, Cahair Tighe; Declan Duffy, Barry Langan (0-1), Dara Flanagan (1-0); Adam Kelly (0-2tp), Ben Holmes; Ryan O’Donnell, Fionn Ó Cinnseala (0-2, 1f), Conor Hession (1-3); Fiacre Ó Cinnseala, Conor Jordan (1-0), Oran Murphy (0-1).
Subs used: Tony Carey, Patrick Garvey, Jack Noone, Maidhc Óg Staunton, Ben Joyce.
Referee: Mark McCloskey (Leitrim).
*See Tuesday's print edition for a comprehensive report on the game