Roscommon edge Mayo in thrilling Connacht Minor Final

Roscommon claimed the Electric Ireland Connacht Minor Football title in dramatic fashion, edging Mayo 2-14 to 1-15 in a pulsating final at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park this evening.

Mayo flew out of the traps, with Tony Carey netting inside two minutes, but Roscommon responded through John Price’s goal on the 20 minute mark and a flurry of late first-half scores to lead 1-7 to 1-4 at the break.

Despite losing both starting midfielders to injury, Mayo turned the tide after half-time. Points from Ardagh forward Carey, Conor Hession and Dara Flanagan saw them outscore Roscommon 8–1 in a dominant third quarter, taking a four-point lead.

But Roscommon showed grit. Sub Seamie Carthy chipped in with two crucial points before Dean Casey drew the sides level with a brilliant free. The decisive blow came in injury time, Sam Hannon intercepted a Mayo pass and released captain Dara Curran, who finished coolly to the net.

Mayo rallied late with scores from Rhys Neary and Flanagan, but a Casey free in the dying seconds sealed it.

A heartbreaking loss for Mayo, who had turned around an earlier hammering from the same opposition but Roscommon’s late surge proved decisive.

Roscommon clinch the Tommy Kilcoyne Cup but both sides will go on to represent the province in the All-Ireland series.

Mayo will play the Leinster final winners in 4 weeks' time.