Mayo 0-20 Roscommon 2-8
Mayo won through to the next round of the All-Ireland qualifying series after a fine six point victory over Roscommon at a sunny Hyde Park today.
Mayo played with great energy and inventiveness throughout and despite minor lapses in concentration outclassed a disorganised Roscommon outfit in every department.
Both sides made positive starts under the glistening sunshine.
Roscommon made the initial breakthrough after 10 minutes when Nigel Dineen scored the first of his two goals. The corner forward positioned himself well to slot home the loose ball after seeing it rebound off a Mayo defender.
Roscommon, despite that goal, were ultimately restricted in possession and time and again gifted their opponents the opportunity to creep back into the contest.
James Gill, who thumped over three points from play in the first period, combined well with the inventive Michael Moyles to send Mayo into a comfortable lead midway through the half.
While their forwards rattled over 12 points in the first half, Mayo, at times, looked less than comfortable at the back. This frailty was exploited by Dineen moments before half-time.
Mayo defenders Gary Ruane and Tom Nallen needlessly contested a dropping ball together and paid the price by crashing into each other. Dineen rounded the two, scooped up the ball and beat Peter Burke with a deft shot under the body.
That crucial score bridged the gap to three points at half-time with Mayo leading 0-12 to 2-3.
Mayo’s class shone through in the second half with Alan Roche and David Tiernan turning in performances of considerable worth. But with Roscommon’s confidence dangling somewhere around their toes, the second half proved a drab affair.
Trevor Mortimer and Tiernan knocked over two quick points with 10 minutes to play and those scores proved crucial - putting five points between the sides and a bridge to far for Roscommon to negotiate.