Mayo 5
Roscommon 0
Mayo proved simply too powerful for a very disappointing Roscommon side in the u14 Inter League schoolboys’ game at Milebush on Saturday. This was a game where Mayo simply overpowered their opponents in all aspects and converted into goals most of the chances which they created. Roscommon on the other hand simply did not test Mayo goalkeeper Adam Murphy, apart from a few high lobs and an occasional cross. In actual fact the nearest Roscommon came to scoring came about in the final 10 minutes when two efforts from Michael Green went over the bar.
Mayo opened the scoring after 10 minutes when a fine delivered corner from James Langan found the in-rushing Padraig Keane who powered his header beyond the defender and into the back of the net to give Mayo a deserved lead.
Mayo maintained the early pressure with some fine midfield play from Noa Baba, Diarmuid O’Connor, and Jonathan Walsh. The runs of Ciaran Tracy and Cathal Barrett on the wings were also causing problems for the visitors’ defence in the early stages. Added to this, Stephen Coen’s strength and power was putting a lot of pressure on the overworked Roscommon defence.
Despite their greater possession, Mayo had to wait until just after the half hour to add to their tally but what a fine goal it turned out to be – Noa Baba started the move with a cross field pass to full back Sean Walsh – Walsh in turn found Diarmuid O’Connor in space who passed to his midfield colleague Jonathan Walsh. Walsh carried the ball forward for 10 yards before blasting a powerful shot to the back of the net. The pattern of play was similar in the opening stages of the second half with Mayo winning the midfield battle and Roscommon lacking any serious penetration from their midfield or front men. The introduction of substitute Ultan Harney did appear however to make a slight improvement in matters for Roscommon. The game finished as a contest when Mayo scored their third goal after 50 minutes, some good work rate by Stephen Coen and Cathal Barrett disposed a Roscommon defender some 20 yards from goal and Barrett found the pace and skill to slide by the defence and slot an easy goal past O’Riordan once again. Mayo increased their lead some 10 minutes later when the ball fell kindly for Stephen Coen from Langan’s corner to make it 4-0. Mayo finished off the scoring after 70 minutes when Coen was fouled just outside the penalty area. Noa Baba found Jonathan Walsh from the resultant free kick and he hit home Mayo’s fifth goal to give the side a comfortable win.
Mayo: A Murphy, S Walsh, J Langan, J Ivers, P Keane, D O’Connor, C Treacy, N Baba, J Walsh, S Coen, C Barrett subs E Doran, R Carolan, J O’Malley, F Duffy.
Roscommon: M O’Riordan, C Casey, A Cassidy, M Greene, C Compton, C Rafferty, C Casserly, P Clinton, M Lyons, J Rattigan, K Keenan, subs U Harney, T Gleeson, D Caldwell, R Connolly.
Ref: Pat Foley.
