Three-in-a-row for Mayo over Roscommon

Mayo held off a late Roscommon rally to make it two wins from two in the All-Ireland Group Stages after recording a 2-14 to 1-15 victory in Hyde Park this evening.

Eoghan McLaughlin was the star of the show, kicking three points from play and playing a crucial role in Mayo's two goals in the second half. The first of these came on 60 minutes after a great run down the left played in Ryan O'Donoghue. The Belmullet ace was subsequently pulled down by Eoin McCormack inside the rectangle, and O'Donoghue converted the spot kick

With a minute of normal time remaining, a break down Roscommon's right side saw McLaughlin run on and some quick exchange of passes with Ryan O'Donoghue teed up Donnacha McHugh to palm it into the net to make 2-13 to 0-13.

Roscommon hit back with 1-2, their goal also coming from the penalty spot after Dylan Ruane was brought down by Sam Callinan. Conor Cox fired home from the spot before Fergal Boland was shown a dubious red late on. Donie Smith made it a two-point game deep in added time and Roscommon launched one last attack. A ball kicked into the box fell to Ultan Harney but, under severe pressure, he shot over the bar and referee Barry Cassidy blew for full-time on the restart.

The sides were level at 0-8 apiece at the break, with Ryan O'Donoghue (three), Eoghan McLaughlin (two), Jordan Flynn, Darren McHale and Matthew Ruane on target for Mayo. The visitors could have led but eight first-half wides, albeit against the wind, kept the sides all tied.

Mayo opened up a two-point gap on 50 and 57 minutes in the second half through Cillian O'Connor, McHale, O'Donoghue, Ruane and Flynn but just like the end, Roscommon effort to pull them back proved in vain. 

Kevin McStay's side now have two weeks to prepare for their final group game against Dublin, which will be played at a neutral venue.

See Tuesday's Western People for full coverage