Heartbreak again for Mayo hurlers in Nickey Rackard Cup final

For the second year running Mayo failed in their attempt to win the Nickey Rackard Cup final, ending up one-point losers (1-12 to 3-16) against neighbours Roscommon in the final at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon, writes Aiden Henry.

This was a real heartbreaking defeat for Mayo, who held a two-point lead as the game went into injury time.

In just over the two minutes of injury time, Roscommon scored three unanswered points to win the game. To say it was cruel on Mayo would be an understatement.

Going into the final, Mayo were the odds-on favourites to come out on top as they had already beaten Roscommon on two occasions this year – once in the Allianz National Hurling league and once in the Nickey Rackard Cup group series.

However, on this occasion they just didn’t produce the kind of display we have become used to from them all season.

Yet at the end of the day it all came down to Mayo’s failure to convert many of their good scoring chances throughout the 70 minutes. Their total of 20 wides cost them at the end of the day.

Roscommon, for their part produced their best performance of the year. They fought hard for every ball and their ability to make the most of their scoring chances were the main reasons they got over the line.

Mayo started in brilliant fashion. By the time the first quarter ended they had raced into a six-point lead – 0-9 to 0-3. However, they just seemed to switch off in the second quarter, during which they added just two more points to their tally while Roscommon rattled off 2-5.

The two Roscommon goals came in the 27th minute from Sean Canning and on the stroke of half-time from Brendan Mulry to leave them three in front at the interval, 2-8 to 0-11.

On the resumption points were exchanged on numerous occasions before Mayo were hit a real body blow in the 53rd minute when Robbie Fallon scored a third goal for Roscommon. That put them five in front (3-12 to 0-16) but Mayo hit back in style in the final quarter.

Following a great goal by Eoin Delaney in the 54th minute, Ray Larkin's charges regained full control. They went on to add four more points and looked to be heading for victory when leading by two as the game went into injury time. But Roscommon refused to throw in the towel and three points in quick succession got them across the line on the stroke of full-time.

Roscommon: E. Lawless; A. Donnelly, J. Dillon, M. Ward; M. Hussey, C. Cosgrove (0-1), D. Finn; E. Fitzgerald (0-3), J. Donnelly; F. Killion (0-1), C. Mulry (0-2), C. Murray; S. Canning (1-2), B. Mulry (1-2), R Fallon (1-2).

Subs used: L. Óg Coyle, B. McGahon (0-2), J. Dowling, R. Conlon, E. Kiernan (0-1).

Mayo: B. Douglas (0-1); C. Murray, O. Greally, C. Hession; S. Thomas, D. Kenny, E. Collins (0-1); D. Huane (0-2), S. Boland (0-6); C. Phillips, R. Duffy (0-1), L. Lavin (0-4); K. McDermott (0-1), E. Delaney (1-3), J. Burke.

Subs used: S. Kenny (0-1), J. Coyne (0-1), J. Heraty.

Referee: Conor Doyle (Tipperary).

*See Tuesday's print edition for a comprehensive report and reaction