Roscommon’s large primrose and blue army packed into Hyde Park last Sunday in anticipation of seeing their sides complete a possible double. With the minors and seniors contesting their respective provincial deciders, hopes were high that both sides could oblige, thereby securing a double on the day. Of course Fergal O’Donnell’s men were looking to secure a double of their own by winning back to back titles.
The minors were up against last year’s beaten all-Ireland finalists Galway but made little of either their highly rated opposition or the elements to take a commanding 1-4 to 0-1 interval lead.
The young tribesmen upped their game after the break but were no match for a determined and well drilled Roscommon side who collected the county’s first Connacht minor title since 2006 on a score-line of 1-9 to 0-6.
The minors’ success had the home support in fine tune when the seniors took to the field shortly before 2pm.
The unseasonal weather conditions ensured this was never going to be a classic. With wind advantage, Fergal O Donnell’s men built up a 0-9 to 0-5 halftime lead. O’Donnell admitted afterwards that, given the strength of the wind, four points was never going to be a big enough cushion. Nineteen-year-old Cillian O’Connor who finished with 0-8 to his name was unerring from frees and helped Mayo to a 0-13 to 0-11 win.
Mayo were deserving winners but had Roscommon taken all of the chances which came their way then the outcome could have been different. Back to back titles for them would have put to bed any talk of a handy title last year when they avoided the big guns of Galway and Mayo but it wasn’t to be. Their reward for losing out this time around is a difficult qualifier meeting with either Tyrone or Armagh and being realistic that is likely to mark the end of the road for the seniors for this season.
There is no doubt though that the manner of the minor success dulled much of the pain of the senior defeat. On this performance Roscommon supporters could have plenty to cheer about before the summer is over. Remember 2006?
