Brilliant Connacht Under 20 final goes Mayo's way in the end

Mayo and Roscommon delivered an epic Dalata Connacht GAA Under 20 Football Championship final in Tuam Stadium before the former claimed victory on a 2-17 to 4-8 scoreline, writes Brian Gillespie.

Early on it looked as though Mayo would romp to victory as they raced into a 1-7 to 0-1 lead on 19 minutes, Seamus Howard with the goal, but a two-point free followed quickly by a goal by Rory Carthy turned things around sharply.

By half-time the gap was just two points as both teams went on all-out attack.

A second goal for Roscommon on 27 minutes, a brilliant individual effort by John McGuinness, was followed quickly at the other end by a Darragh Beirne net-buster. Amazingly, there was time for another goal, McGuinness again with a near replica of his first effort, leaving Mayo ahead by two at the break, 2-9 to 3-4.

Mayo had three good goal chances in the third quarter but none were availed of. Roscommon 'keeper Patrick Gaynor twice saved well to deny Oisin Cronin and Beirne, while Cronin blasted a shot wide less than 20 seconds into the new half.

Still, Mayo were always able to stay a little clear of their opponents and were three points to the good (2-13 to 3-7) heading into the final 10 minutes.

Then another goal for Roscommon, finished by Robert Heneghan, saw them draw level, and at this stage they appeared to be the team with momentum.

However, two wides in a row didn't help their cause and Mayo rallied with three points in succession through Colm McHale, substitute Dara Neary and Beirne to leave them 2-16 to 4-7 up in the final minute of regulation time.

But four minutes of added time were announced and Roscommon pulled a point back through Conor Grogan. They also had the ball in the net when Ruairi Kilcline, a late substitute, rose to meet a high delivery by David Higgins but, luckily for Mayo, the score was ruled out for a square ball infringement.

Had it stood, the goal would have put Roscommon into the lead for the first time, and at a great time in the game, but Mayo had the final say when Lydon dissected the posts late on, and in truth they deserved the win – just about – at the end of a pulsating encounter in Tuam.

Mayo: Conor Meaney; Rio Mortimer, Paul Gilmore, Eoin McGreal; Hugh O’Loughlin (0-3), John MacMonagle, Colm McHale (0-2); Oliver Armstrong, Seamus Howard (1-0); Oisin Cronin (0-1), Cathal Keaveney, Colm Lynch; Darragh Beirne (1-3, 1f), Niall Hurley (0-2), Tom Lydon (0-5, 2f).

Subs used: Yousif Coghill, Dara Neary (0-1), Diarmuid Duffy, Luke Feeney, Daithí Butler.

Roscommon: Patrick Gaynor; Keelan Kelly, Tommy Morris, Cillian Campbell; Conor Grogan (0-1), Eoghan Carthy, Conor Kelly; Niall Heneghan, David Higgins; Eoin Collins, Robert Heneghan (1-0), Ryan Dowling; John Curran (0-1), Rory Carthy (1-4, 1tpf, 2f), John McGuinness (2-0).

Subs used: Brian Greene (0-2, 1f), Cathal McKeon, Ciaran O'Reilly, Ruairi Kilcline.