Mayo cruise through to Connacht final

Mayo eased their way into the Connacht final against Galway after coming good in the second half to see off Roscommon in front of 13,967 spectators in the Hyde Park sunshine.

Kevin McStay's men showed their quality after the break, with Ryan O’Donoghue and Aidan O’Shea leading their charge for the finishing line.

For Roscommon, the wait for a first championship victory against Mayo since 2001 continues as their challenge wilted after the break.

Mayo made the brighter start, with captain Paddy Durcan splitting the posts in the fourth minute.

A couple of early turnovers from the visitors nourished confidence levels further, and when Aidan O’Shea cut across the face of goal and found the net in the eighth minute, Mayo were firmly in control.

But Roscommon, led by Diarmuid Murtagh, settled, with the St. Faithleach’s forward opening his side’s account.

Ryan O’Donoghue responded for Mayo but a hat-trick of points from Diarmuid Murtagh and Daire Cregg left it 1-02 to 0-04 after 20 minutes.

The remainder of the half saw the sides exchange scores, although Ben O’Carroll will feel he should have done better with a presentable goal chance that was snuffed out by the Mayo defence.

The St. Brigid’s player did find the target with the help of an upright before O’Donoghue and Donie Smith swapped scores.

Murtagh brought the sides level after 32 minutes before rapid-fire scores from Fergal Boland and O’Donoghue (free) edged Mayo ahead.

There was still time for Daire Cregg to grab his second free of the half to leave just a point in it at the break, 1-06 to 0-08 in favour of Mayo.

Daire Cregg brought the hosts level two minutes into the second half, but that was as good as it got for Davy Burke’s men.

Mayo upped the ante and their searing pace