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2nd March 2024
09:10pm GMT
Mayo have been criticised lately for their over dependence on Ryan O'Donoghue up front and not having enough scorers across the field to help them get over the line, but in the opening 20 minutes or so in this game, they looked to have corrected this.
Even the likes of Lee Keegan, their own county-man and ex player, has been vocal about his concerns when it comes to his old team's lack of scoring threat up front.
O'Donoghue of course got three points himself in the opening half and showed serious leadership in the way that he wins his own ball, takes responsibility in front of goal, and stands up when needed most.
However Aidan O'Shea, Fergal Boland, Stephen Coen and even the goalkeeper, Colm Reape managed to get on the scoresheet as well, and Kevin McStay's side looked to be in a healthy position.
However, just like they did against Tyrone last week, they started to falter, the scores dried up and they were being to passive in defence as Roscommon got a grab of the game, and managed to claw their way back into it.
Diarmuid Murtagh was at the heart of everything, kicking three points himself, but they had goal opportunities that Davey Burke would have preferred they took, and could easily have went in at half time in the lead.
However, the whistle went with Mayo a point up, and both sides had a lot to talk about in the dressing rooms as the game hung in the balance.
It was the home side at McHale Park who came out swinging, as they took full control of the game and their spread of scores continued with the likes of Donnacha McHugh and Enda Hession all joining in on the fun.
The away team seemed to run out of ideas as they struggled to get forward, and any time they did it, their shots either fell short, or the attacker was swarmed by a sea of green and red.
O'Donoghue continued his fine form as kicking scores from play and the dead ball situations, cementing himself undoubtedly as the main man in this team now, even when Cillian O'Connor joined the fray.
The Rossies didn't register a score in the second half until the 56th minute when Conor Cox finally added some respect to the scoreline, and they began to feel their way into the game a little.
However, with eight different scorers all chipping in, McStay is clearly addressing the criticism that has been directed at him and his team in recent weeks regarding their lack of attacking prowess and versatility.
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