Key men set to return for Mayo's upcoming quarter-final

When the chances were there for the taking, Roscommon & District League took more of theirs than Mayo League on the day. It sounds simplistic, but the fact remains.

The defeat does not stop Mayo from advancing, however, going through as runners-up to Galway League who secured top spot by defeating Sligo/Leitrim. Mayo were missing a number of players for various reasons but manager Joe Kelly was happy to see the likes of Cormac Caulfield, Owen McHale and Cillian White some much-needed game time. Kelly was happy in that regard but rued his sides overall alck of penetration in front of goal.

“We kind of knew coming into this game that there'd be a couple of them away and then we obviously lost Jordan (Loftus) in the warm-up, and we lost Ben (Edeh) as well,” Kelly told the Western People.

“Extremely important players, but what we got out of today was those lads that probably hadn't played before for as much. Cormac Caulfield came in and Owen McHale and neither have played, I suppose, any time in the competition so far. We got Adam in and we also got Cillian White, who's only back with us since Tuesday night. So it was important to get them guys' game time coming up because we knew as long as we didn't lose by any more than three goals today we were safe to go.

“We went out with the intention of winning the game. But it was, from our point of view, I think there's two things that crossed my mind. First of all, we missed some really important opportunities. Jack one in the first half, we had Darren's won off the line, and then we had Darren's penalty miss, so it was an unfortunate day for him. I think if one of them went in, it's a different game, and then we probably overplayed at times in this half. The second half, we got caught on the counter for the first goal.

“We spoke to them about half time where we expected Roscommon to push up on us and we said there'd be spaces in behind but it worked out that we didn't exploit those spaces and we should have a lot more. We should have been going that little bit longer into the pockets rather than trying to play to feet all the time on a pitch like this.” The game also marked a first start for Kevin Kitterick, who had been restricted to substitute appearances until that point and Kelly was pleased with his performance, as well as singling out Cillian McGlade and Jason Hunt.

“That was (Kevin’s) first start and I thought he did really well because I suppose Ben's boots are big boots to fill, and I thought he did really well. I thought he tortured the right back in the first half. Obviously he's grown into it. He probably hadn't the same confidence to take guys on initially but I think as the half went on he started winning his frees and I suppose the full back was looking to stay on by the end of the first half. He'd fouled them that often. So I thought he was a great positive, as was Cillian McGlade behind him.

“I thought Cillian was excellent as well and I thought Jason Hunt on the other side, I was delighted with those. Cormac Caulfield had a great impact as well. He ran at them when he came in.” On Hunt’s goal, Kelly offered: “Even though that only brought the game back to 2-1. It was a big moment for us because we needed that goal because they were pushing for a third and if they had got that it was game on. So for us to get that goal it was hugely important for us so it was a bit of a goal and I think it was no less than Jason deserved.” Kelly confirmed that the squad will be bolstered by the returns of some of last year’s squad, understood to be Ballina Town duo Jamie Cawley and Dylan McKee, ahead of their quarter-final. Mayo will have to play to away but Kelly feels given the success of Mayo clubs in the FAI Junior Cup earlier this month, where all three won away from home, that will pose no issue.

“It's been a difficult few weeks preparation because obviously we let the lads go away with their clubs, so we've been very hit and miss in terms of preparation. But if we get everyone back, I suppose the club teams proved last weekend, there's no issue going away from home if you have everyone at full strength.”