Mayo and Roscommon play out a draw in Dr. Hyde Park

Mayo played out a draw with neighbours Roscommon in the opening round of the Connacht GAA Under 20 Football Championship this evening. It finished Roscommon 1-13, Mayo 3-7 at Dr. Hyde Park.

Leading by seven points at one stage in the first half, Mayo were pegged back by the Rossies in the second and a late free from Shane McGinley ensured a share of the spoils for the home side.

An early Niall Hurley goal and point after Darragh Beirne had opened the scoring was just reward for Mayo's fast start, while McGinley opened Roscommon's account before pouncing for a goal of his own, leaving just the minimum between the teams.

Two goals in quick succession from Finbar McLaughlin and Beirne saw Mayo stretch the lead out to seven (3-2 to 1-1) before Roscommon rallied, scoring five of the next six points, Hurley with Mayo's only score during that period. It left three between the teams at the break, Mayo leading 3-3 to 1-6.

Beirne and McGinley traded frees early in the second half, while David Dolan landed a 45' before Ryan Conlon converted from play for the home side.

It remained nip and tuck, with Mayo sub Oisín Cronin scoring from play before McGinley landed another free for the home side.

Cronin added another point for Mayo but Bobby Nugent cancelled it out at the other end with a free, meaning there were still three points between the teams.

Roscommon had the better of the final quarter and hauled themselves level with points from Conlon and McGinley (two frees), leaving it level on a scoreline of 1-13 to 3-7 at full-time.

Mayo return to action next Wednesday with a home match against Galway in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar.