Mayo shot 17 wides and still managed to retain their Connacht Minor football crown in this below-par curtain raiser at Hyde Park yesterday.

Roscommon looked the more likely winners when they led 0-5 to 0-2 at the break, after a first half which saw Mayo record nine wides and fail to score from play.

The game took a dramatic turn three minutes after the restart when centre forward Conor Mortimer fisted the ball to the Roscommon net to level the scores and inject some life into proceedings. Jarlath Egan landed two great points for the home side, but, on both occasions, Mortimer responded with equalisers and full forward Alan Dillon, at last, became the second Mayo player on their scoresheet as he edged his side in front.

However, within a minute Roscommon were back in the lead again when Paul McTiernan ran onto a loose ball and cut his way through the Mayo defence before firing home a great goal.

Dillon pointed for Mayo from the kickout before Mortimer resumed scoring duties with two converted frees. Mayo finished the stronger side and further points from substitute Brian Lynskey, Mortimer, Paul Carey and Alan Burke assured them of their 33rd Connacht Minor title.

Mayo: D Clarke; R Keane, R Walshe, D Geraghty; D Costello, E Devenney, C Moran; E Barrett, A Burke (0-1); P Prenty, C Mortimer, (1-7, six from frees), S Lindsay; P Carey (0-1), A Dillon (0-2), T Geraghty. Subs: B Lynskey (0-1) for Lindsay; C Rowland for T Geraghty.

Roscommon: K McTiernan; S Gilleran, D O'Rourke, E Cowey; J Nolan, S Sharkey, P Finn; S O'Neill, S Tiernan (0-1); P McTiernan (1-0), B Hynes, J McHale (0-3, two from frees); S Roddy (0-1), R Cox, J Egan (0-3). Subs: E Kilbride for Roddy; N Lennon for O'Rourke.

Referee: G McGovern (Leitrim).