‘No harm in winning silverware’ – McStay on winning start

Mayo manager Kevin McStay was happy to get some early-season silverware into the cabinet.

“We’re in a block of training for the last two or three months with a view to being ready for the league in just over a week’s time.

“This is just a rung on the lad- der, if you like. It’s an important one because it’s a final and once you’re in a final, we agreed we wanted to win it. There’s no harm in winning the silverware that’s on offer at all, your mood, your morale, everything is helped by it”. the 21st minute, and it was deep into injury-time when Diarmuid Murtagh added Roscommon’s second score. From a Roscommon point of view, while the defence was playing well, the attack looked toothless.

However, the introduction of Donie Smith and Conor Cox at half-time resulted in a marked improvement in Roscommon’s attacking play. An early Diarmuid Murtagh point narrowed the gap, but in truth Mayo never looked like losing the match.

Keith Doyle kicked a great score in the 41st minute to give Roscommon hope and two fine efforts from Conor Cox kept his side in touch, but Mayo responded through Enda Hession and Jordan Flynn to keep the margin at four.

When Donie Smith then kicked two su- perb points within a minute, there were only two between the teams with five minutes to go (0-10 to 0-8). Mayo kicked on again and two points from sub Cillian O’Connor and another from Conor Loftus saw them over the line. Roscommon sub Peter Gillooly kicked a consolation point in injury-time, but in what represents a good start to the managerial term of Kevin McStay, the cup was going back to Mayo for the first time since 2012.

Roscommon will point to some positives, such as an improved defensive display, with Brian Stack, Conor Daly and Robbie Dolan prominent. Conor Carroll was impressive between the posts and has certainly put his hand up for a starting position. Keith Doyle had another good game in midfield. Up front, Roscommon’s performance improved with the introduction of Donie Smith and Conor Cox, but scoring just nine points and returning a total of 12 wides is a worry.

The slate will be totally wiped clean now as all eyes turn to Dr Hyde Park this Sunday and a huge Division One clash against Tyrone. It will be a baptism of fire for Davy Burke and his players.

Teams & scorers

Mayo: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Enda Hession (0-1); Donnacha McHugh, Conor Loftus (0-1), Stephen Coen (0-1); Jordan Flynn (0-1), Diarmuid O’Connor (0-1, ‘45); Fionn McDonagh (0-1), Bob Tuohy, Bryan Walsh; Aiden Orme, Conor McStay (0-1), Ryan O’Donoghue (0-4, 3 frees, 1 mark). Subs: Jack Carney for McDonagh (29), Aidan O’Shea for Tuohy (47), Eoghan McLaughlin for Walsh (49), Paul Towey for McStay (51), Sam Callinan for McHugh (53), Cillian O’Connor (0-2, 1 free) for Orme (57), Ruairí Keane for Hession (63), Ethan Gibbons for O’Donoghue (68), Fenton Kelly for Loftus (73), Joe Tuohy for Coen (73).

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Conor Hussey, Conor Daly, Eoin McCormack; Robbie Dolan, Brian Stack, Niall Daly (0-1); Rúáidhrí Fallon, Keith Doyle (0-1); Cian Glennon, Ciaráin Murtagh, Dylan Ruane; Diarmuid Murtagh (0-2), Ciarán Lennon, Paul Carey. Subs: Donie Smith (0-2) for C Murtagh (h/t), Conor Cox (0-2, 1 free) for Carey (h/t), Adam McDermott for D Murtagh (44), Darragh Heneghan for Glennon (51), Connell Kennelly for Ruane (51), Colin Walsh for N Daly (56), Ben O’Carroll for Lennon (56), Paul McGrath for Fallon (68), Peter Gillooly (01) for McCormack (70), Dylan Gaughan for O’Carroll (72).

Referee: Michael McGirl (Leitrim).

Stat Attack

Wides: Mayo: 8 (5, first half); Roscommon 12 (4, first half)

Red cards: Mayo 1 (Rory Brickenden, 2 yellows); Roscommon 0

Black cards: Roscommon 1 (Eoin McCormack 19); Mayo 0

Yellow cards: Roscommon 0; Mayo 5 (Rory Brickenden 2, Cillian O’Connor, Conor McStay, Fionn McDonagh)

Attendance: Approx. 1,200

Man of the Match: Conor Loftus (Mayo)