GAA round-up
A Denis Gavin goal five minutes into injury time secured Roscommon their first Connacht title since 1991 after a pulsating second half battle with Mayo at Dr Hyde park this afternoon.
In a tight closing half that saw both teams lead at various stages, Mayo trailed Roscommon by a single point when in the 70th minute substitute David Nestor scored a crucial goal to leave Pat Holmes’ side two points to the better.
With four minutes of injury time signalled, Roscommon kept their heads and maintained incessant pressure on their opponents. Having worked the ball deep from their own half, Gavin received possession on the edge of the area and drilled to the back of Peter Burke’s goal for the winning score.
The first half was a poor affair with both sides mixing dire ball control with lethargic player movement. The two teams were sluggish in their desire to take a hold of the game, seeming extremely nervous and cautious of each other.
Mayo should have led at half-time but kicked seven wides in the half allowing their opponents sneak a two point advantage at the break. Maurice Sheridan, usually an astute marksman, kicked three poor wides for Mayo.
Roscommon’s Stephen Lohan kicked Roscommon into a 0-6 to 0-5 lead in the 28th minute before the excellent midfielder Seamus O’Neill extended that lead with a well taken point from range in the 32nd minute.