Last weekend saw a phony war between the Mayo and Roscommon senior hurlers play out in Athleague, both sides knew they were going to be facing each other in the division 2B relegation play-off this weekend before a sliothar was stuck. However, Mayo did however record a much needed win against their near neighbours to send them into tomorrow evening's game with a pep in their step.
Mayo hit Roscommon with everything they had in the first half, right from the get go. Going in at the break leading 1-16 to 0-3, the second half was a much different affair with the hosts outscoring Mayo 2-11 to 0-5. One major positive that JP Coen will take from the game last weekend was the spread of scorers that Mayo had with nine different players raising the white flag over the 70 minutes. Padraig Hickey chipped in with 1-2, bagging his goal in the opening 35 minutes, while Kenny Feeney chipped in with five points of his own (three from placed balls ), Sean Regan hit four from play, and both Joe McManus and John Cotter scored three points each in the game.
It has been a tough league run for Mayo following on from the highs of last season, but a win tomorrow night will set them up with some momentum before the Christy Ring Cup starts in the near future. Roscommon's full forward Gary Fallon will need minding on the edge of the square in this one, last weekend he finished up with eight points, seven of them from frees — to remind Mayo, not that they would have needed it of his accuracy from a placed ball. Cathal Kenny bagged three points for the Rossie's last weekend from corner forward, with Eamon Flangan and Eoghan Costello netted their goals.
Last weekends game showed what both sides are capable of and made sure that Mayo know they can't take their eye of the ball if they do build up a lead. The game throws in tomorrow at 5pm in MacHale Park.
