Wasteful Rossies let Mayo off the hook as scrappy final ends level

For long spells of last Sunday's Connacht minor final it appeared as if Roscommon would cause a shock against a highly regarded Mayo outfit, but Ray Dempsey's team snatched a stoppage time equaliser at Pearse Stadium. Roscommon frustrated Mayo, and came within a whisker of landing their first provincial crown at this level since 2006. Dominant at centrefield, ultimately Roscommon were unable to register sufficient scores to adequately punish Mayo, and Aidan Walsh converted a pressure free to force a replay. This really was a match Roscommon should have won considering the amount of ball they funnelled into an attack that only offered glimpses of ability. True, Mayo's solid backline was marshalled superbly by Shane McDermott, and they restricted Roscommon to only two points from play. Roscommon's Niall Kilroy and Ciaran Murtagh did pose a threat in the corners alongside towering full forward Daniel Qualter. Still, there was a ruggedness to Mayo's defending, and they were always eager to force attackers to shoot from awkward angles. Roscommon, though, will be satisfied by many aspects of their display. David Butler and Niall Daly were resourceful at full and centre back respectively, Sonny McNulty's influence at midfield was immense, and the way that a much vaunted Mayo side was thwarted augurs well for the replay. But, while Roscommon gave a hearty performance, there is no disguising the fact that the Connacht title ought to have been claimed. McNulty's adeptness at gathering possession ensured the majority of the action was taking place in Mayo territory. Even in the closing stages when Ros' were playing into the teeth of a strong Salthill wind, they couldn't whip over the scores as Mayo survived. Roscommon's struggled to reflect their supremacy on the scoreboard, and they know that the attack will need to be more crisp when colliding with Mayo again. Backed by the breeze, Roscommon edged into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes. Murtagh, Cathal Shine, and Niall Kilroy landed frees from varying distances and angles as Gary Wynne's charges settled well. Shine's booming kicks were a salient feature of the afternoon, and with Qualter capable of fetching the high deliveries a goal might have been pocketed, but for Mayo's resilience, and willingness to defend in numbers. Mayo, though, then enjoyed one burst of supremacy which yielded a return of 1-2. Cillian O'Connor nailed a 16th minute point, and followed it with an opportunistic goal on 22 minutes as McNulty and Naas Connaughton failed to gather a Brian Ruttledge free. The promising O'Connor reacted smartly, and palmed the loose ball home as Mayo netted the only major of a tepid game. When Aidan Walsh clipped a free Mayo went three ahead which was a sizeable advantage considering the way the contest was developing. With McNulty impressing at midfield, the primrose and blue side responded as Shine and Kilroy smashed over frees to leave the minimum between the teams at the break. The second half was similarly tight and uncompromising as only five scores were registered. Murtagh and Mayo's Danny Kirby traded points before Roscommon hit two in a row courtesy of Kilroy and substitute Colin Compton. It was chaotic stuff with scores scarce, and six minutes remained when Compton edged Ros' ahead, and they could have added to the tally, but Mayo remained cool. Roscommon were pouring forward hoping to add an insurance effort, but Mayo were defiant as McDermott made several critical interventions. Mayo subsequently restored parity on a rare foray downfield. The reigning Connacht champions were clinical when they eventually worked the ball into the danger zone, manufacturing a free which was expertly rifled over by full forward Walsh for their first score in 27 minutes. Having suffered a cruel All Ireland final replay defeat to Tyrone last year, Mayo manager Ray Dempsey is intent on making a bold bid for national honours, but there was enough evidence from this Roscommon display to suggest the replay will be interesting. Wynne has constructed a decent side with Paddy Brogan, Ciaran Cafferkey, McNulty, and Kilroy demonstrating plenty of enthusiasm throughout. Mayo came nowhere near to replicating the form they had shown in the semi-final triumph over Galway, but their panel is still laced with smashing footballers. Goalkeeper Michael Slingermann, Keith Rogers, McDermott, Walsh, and O'Connor are blessed with genuine talent. Roscommon's 15 wides were costly, but the manner in which they ruled the contest will give them hope. Providing they are sharper up front, Ros' will still be adamant that the Mayo scalp can be taken. SCORERS - Roscommon: Niall Kilroy (0-3, 3fs), Cathal Shine (0-2, 2fs), Ciaran Murtagh (0-2, 1f), Colin Compton (0-1). Mayo: Cillian O'Connor (1-1), Aidan Walsh (0-3, 3fs), Danny Kirby (0-1). ROSCOMMON: Naas Connaughton; Paddy Brogan, David Butler, Padraic Feeney; Diarmuid Connellan, Niall Daly, Ciaran Cafferkey; Cathal Shine, Sonny McNulty; Jack Carty, Bernard Carthy, Shane Leydon; Niall Kilroy, Daniel Qualter, Ciaran Murtagh. Subs: Scott Oates for Carthy, Darren Clabby for Leydon, Colin Compton for Murtagh, Michael Sweeney for Feeney, Aaron Feehily for McNulty. MAYO: Michael Slingermann; Michael Walsh, Keith Rogers, David Gavin; Caolan Crowe, Shane McDermott, Ciaran Charlton; Danny Kirby, Alex Corduff; Andrew Farrell, Darren Coen, Fergal Durkin; Brian Ruttledge, Aidan Walsh, Cillian O'Connor. Subs: Danny Geraghty for Durkin, John Carney for Ruttledge, Ian Costello for Coen, Brian Walsh for Carney. REFEREE: Eamonn O'Grady (Leitrim).