GAA

Mayo set up Connacht final date with Galway

Mayo kicked on in the second half, with Tommy Conroy and Ryan O’Donoghue growing in their influence, but Kevin McStay’s men were far from their best.

Roscommon manager Davy Burke (left) leads his side into a date with his native Kildare on Sunday
Roscommon manager Davy Burke (left).
By Jack Madden
Connacht SFC semi-final
Roscommon 0-13 1-15 Mayo

Ryan O’Donoghue top scored as Mayo had things a little too easy in a dominant second half display against Roscommon.

The first-half highlight was an early solo goal by Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea, but Roscommon were the better side from there until the break.

Mayo’s play grew lethargic, with blocks of Roscommon defenders turning over on their own ‘45. Full-forward line Diarmuid Murtagh, Daire Cregg and Donie Smith grabbed seven of their eight scores, with the returning Ben O’Carroll getting the other.

Aidan Clarke
Tyrone's Aidan Clarke and Roscommon's Conor Cox and Daire Cregg in action during the Allianz Football Division one Round one between Tyrone and Roscommon

But they grew wasteful, failing to capitalise on their dominance of both kickouts. Mayo’s long kickout was particularly inefficient, Roscommon winning the break at ease but failing to fully capitalise on the scoreboard.

O’Donoghue and Tommy Conroy had an influential third quarter, with at least three between the sides from there until the end. Conor Loftus made his presence felt, chipping in with two scores off the bench.

Mayo will meet Galway in a repeat of the 2021 Connacht SFC final after Pádraic Joyce’s charges battled past a resilient Sligo on Saturday.