The latest instalment of this Connacht derby failed to live up to expectations as Mayo powered to a convincing victory over their outclassed neighbours at a rain-soaked Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar.
Kevin McStay's league champions had lost their last two matches on the road against both Kerry and Tyrone, but they got back to winning ways in style in front of 9,160 spectators.Mayo made their decisive burst during a one-sided third quarter when they racked up seven points without reply against Davy Burke’s shell-shocked visitors.
Playing with real intent, and moving the ball at pace, the homeside created a plethora of chances that were taken with conviction.
This meant that their half-time lead of a single point was quickly padded out to eight points heading into the final quarter. Roscommon had no answers.
The fabulous Fergal Boland (who finished with three points) got the ball rolling just after the restart before Ryan O’Donoghue (three, two frees), Enda Hession (from a mark) and defender Donnacha McHugh (two from play) also hit the target.
Roscommon had to wait until the 22nd minute of the half to reply through Conor Cox, and they were unable to make much headway during the closing stages.
The result means that Roscommon’s long wait for a first National League win in Castlebar since 1984 goes on, and they are now in a relegation dogfight with just one victory from five matches.
Mayo led at the end of an absorbing first half by 0-07 to 0-06 despite not scoring for the final 17 minutes of play.
The home side came flying out of the blocks and were four points clear at the end of the first quarter after a string of well-worked scores.
Playing with a far greater urgency than the visitors, Mayo cut through Roscommon’s defence with Ryan O’Donoghue shooting three points (two from play).
Fergal Boland, Aidan O’Shea and goalkeeper Colm Reape were also on target during this purple patch.A couple of superb long-range efforts from Diarmuid Murtagh kept the Rossies in touch, and Donie Smith also chipped in with a neat score.
But an audacious point from Stephen Coen left Mayo ahead by 0-07 to 0-03 after 21 minutes and looking comfortable.
But they failed to score for the remainder of the half with the stylish Diarmuid Murtagh nailing another brace of brilliant points to haul Roscommon back into contention.
The gap had closed the gap to the bare minimum when goalkeeper Conor Carroll smacked over a '45.
Enda Smith was also unlucky to be denied a goal when his attempted lob was brilliantly saved by Colm Reape.
Mayo’s third win of a topsy-turvy campaign means that they remain in the hunt for a place in another league final at the end of the month.
In two weeks’ time Mayo will welcome high-flying Derry to Castlebar while Roscommon entertain Kerry on St Patrick’s Day at Dr Hyde Park.
Mayo: C Reape (0-01); J Coyne, R Brickenden, S Callinan; D McHugh (0-02), S Coen (0-01), E Hession (0-01, 1m); B Tuohy, J Carney; E McLaughlin, F Boland (0-02), J Flynn; A O’Shea (0-01), P Towey, R O’Donoghue (0-06, 3f).
Subs used: T Conroy for Towey (38); D McHale for Tuohy (51); C O’Connor (0-1) for O’Shea (50); M Ruane for Flynn (61); C Loftus for McLaughlin (67).
Roscommon: C Carroll (0-01, 1f); D Murray, B Stack, N Higgins; T O’Rourke, E McMcCormack, D Ruane; E Smith, S Cunnane; R Dolan, D Murtagh (0-04, 1f), R Fallon; D Smith (0-01), D Cregg, J Fitzpatrick.
Subs used: N Daly for Cunnane (21); C Cox (0-02, 1f) for Fitzpatrick (HT); A Glennon for D Smith (46); R Daly for Fallon (53); U Harney for O’Rourke (61).Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan)
