Mayo was crowned National League Champions last weekend and they will welcome Roscommon to Hastings Insurance MacHale Park on Sunday for the opening round of the Connacht Championship.

It should be a fascinating battle between the sides with the winners advancing to face Galway in the semi-finals.

After their win over Galway in the Allianz League Division 1 final on Sunday, Mayo head straight into Con- nacht championship action against Roscommon.

They last met in the Connacht championship in 2020 when Mayo won a semi-final by six points. Roscom- mon won their previous championship meetings by a point in 2019.

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP MEETINGS:

• 2020: Mayo 1-16 Roscommon 0-13 (Connacht semi-final)
• 2019: Roscommon 2-12 Mayo 0-17 (Connacht semi-final)
• 2017: Mayo 4-19 Roscommon 0-9 (All-Ireland quarter-final) Replay
• 2017: Mayo 1-12 Roscommon 2-9 (All-Ireland quarter-final) Draw
• 2014: Mayo 0-13 Roscommon 1-9 (Connacht semi-final)

Facts about Mayo v Roscommon 

Mayo took the Division 1 title this year, having won five, drawn two and lost one (v Monaghan) of their eight games

Roscommon finished third in Division 1 this season, winning four and losing three games.

Mayo beat Roscommon by two points (1-16 to 2-11) in this year’s League.

It’s 17 wins to two for Mayo, with one draw from their last twenty championship meetings with Roscommon.

Betting

Mayo are 1/3 with Roscommmon 3/1, bookies expect Mayo to win by 3pts

GAA TV Coverage

Match is live on RTE at 4pm on Sunday, it’s also on GAAGo for those people outside Ireland.

Starting Teams

We will have teams after the announcement on Friday evening.

Mayo (Connacht SFC v Roscommon): Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, David McBrien, Donnacha McHugh; Stephen Coen, Conor Loftus, Paddy Durcan; Matthew Ruane, Diarmuid O’Connor; Fionn McDonagh, Jack Carney, Jordan Flynn; Aidan O’Shea, James Carr, Ryan O’Donoghue.

Subs: Rory Byrne, Sam Callinan, Tommy Conroy, Jason Doherty, Frank Irwin, Darren McHale, Eoghan McLaughlin, Conor McStay, Cillian O’Connor, Padraig O’Hora, Paul Towey.

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The match will throw in at 19:30 on Wednesday, 21^st July in McHale Park, Mayo.

The home side, Mayo, had to beat reigning champions Galway on penalties to progress to the final. The game was decided through some excellent spot taking and a great save by the Mayo keeper.

Jack McMahon in Mayo’s corner forward position proved to be an important part of their win against Galway. He is a strong place kicker but also has a quick burst of pace in open play.

Roscommon needed to overcome a tough Sligo team to reach the final. It was a high scoring thrilling affair where a mounted Sligo comeback was not enough to break down Roscommon.

In that game, corner forward James Fitzgerald was the difference, scoring 2-02. He will need to be on form again for Roscommon to bring home the provisional championship.

These two faced each other in the 2018 final which Mayo easily came out on top of that time.

The coup de grâce by Lambert ! It's all over and @MayoGAA win the first ever @ConnachtGAA u20 Final. Mayo 3-16 @RoscommonGAA 1-6. pic.twitter.com/kCCfQXQGGS

— Mid West Radio (@radiomidwest) June 17, 2018

Predicted Starting 15

Mayo

Roscommon          

Roscommon U20 Team. pic.twitter.com/DLFyH9vCbo

— Roscommon GAA (@RoscommonGAA) July 14, 2021

Betting

Mayo have been given the advantage in this game with odds of 8/13 to win.

U20’s matches have a knack for taking games to extra time and the odds of another draw are 15/2.

Roscommon are underdogs but have a chance with odds of 13/8 to grab the title.

Predicted Score

Underage Connacht football has always been between Mayo and Galway. Now that Mayo has dispatched the Tribesmen, this is their competition to lose.

Roscommon are happy to be at the final after beating Sligo not too comfortable. Although this is an exciting young team, it is hard to see them overcoming Mayo.

Expect Mayo to lift the title with a seven point lead at the final whistle.

If there were cameras in the Tuam Stadium nets then they'd have been wondering what the hell Harry Maguire was doing in Galway

In sudden death, of all places, this was nerveless and it was sensational from Mayo U20 player Conor Flynn pic.twitter.com/M7etjaXehX

— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) July 14, 2021

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They meet for an eighth successive year in the championship. The first six were in the Connacht championship, with Mayo winning in 2013-14-15 and Galway winning in 2016-17-18.  They met in the All-Ireland qualifiers last year when Mayo won. This will be their first clash in the Connacht final since 2014 when Mayo won by seven points.

Match Preview

Look back at previous finals

Galway starting XV vs Mayo

(2020 Connacht SFC final)

1. Bernard Power (CorofinGAA)
2. Sean Kelly (Cumann Peile Mhaigh Cuilinn)
3. Seán Ó Maolchiaráin (CLG Oileáin Árann)
4. Johnny Heaney (Killannin Gaa)
5. Liam Silke (CorofinGAA)
6. Johnny Duane (St. James’ GAA – Galway)
7. Cillian McDaid (Monivea Abbey GAA Football Club)
8. Céin D’Arcy (Caherlistrane GAA)
9. Tom Flynn (St. Mary’s GAA Club Athenry)
10. Paul Kelly (Cumann Peile Mhaigh Cuilinn)
11. Paul Conroy (St. James’ GAA – Galway)
12. Michael Daly (Mountbellew Moylough GAA Club)
13. Ian Burke (CorofinGAA)
14. Shane Walsh – Captain (Kilkerrin/Clonberne GAA Club)
15. Dessie Conneely (Cumann Peile Mhaigh Cuilinn)

Since then, the 2016 and ’17 All-Ireland runners-up have beaten Leitrim and Roscommon in the Championship to eclipse a league relegation. On the other hand, Sligo’s concession of last weekend’s game against the Galwegians means Joyce’s team enter this game without any Championship minutes under their belts.

This is Mayo’s first visit to a Connacht final since they completed five-in-a-row in 2015. In the seasons between now and then, Roscommon and Galway have always trumped them in Connacht. But, their form to date makes them hot favourites to end that drought.

Mayo Finding Their Stride

James Horan unearthed a few gems in this fixture a few weeks ago. Tommy Conroy has been ever-present in the full-forward line since that day and has justified his inclusion. Likewise, Eoghan McLoughlin has made one of the wing-back spots his own. At centre-forward, Mark Moran burst onto the stage against Galway. However, he is competing with Ryan O’Donoghue for that jersey. It will be interesting to see if Horan recalls Moran to try and repeat the trick this time around.

Mayo’s youthful injection contrasts to the veterans who Horan also has at his disposal. Colm Boyle and Keith Higgins were both on the bench last weekend and despite not playing they are valuable assets that he can trust. On the field, Cillian O’Connor is reminding everyone why he is the top scorer in GAA Championship history. At the other end, Lee Keegan is seemingly Horan’s most trusted man-marker.

The gap between Mayo’s old and new is being nicely bridged by the likes of Paddy Durcan, Stephen Coen, Matthew Ruane, and Diarmuid O’Connor. These four make up a strong core that Horan can build around.

Mayo’s running game returned to its best against Roscommon. Half-backs Durcan and McLoughlin were the primary source of that. McLoughlin emulates a young Colm Boyle with this pace and power as he drives past defenders. A great example of this was his assist for Diarmuid O’Connor’s goal. Likewise, Durcan’s tunnel vision is a joy to watch as he regularly offers as much going forward as a 13 or a 15. He scored two points against Roscommon while simultaneously muzzling Enda Smith.

Galway Ready to Rock

Joyce would have preferred to have played Sligo last weekend than to have a bye straight to the final no matter how convenient it is. Since the restart, his side have lost to Mayo and Dublin to overshadow excellent form in the spring. A win over Sligo would have been very welcome no matter how close it was.

Now, Galway enter the Championship with a lack of match practice. Furthermore, Damien Comer remains sidelined for the 2018 Connacht Champions. Without having played in three weeks, Joyce has tough decisions to make about how best to deploy his troops.

One piece of good news is that Shane Walsh is available and looking forward to the heat of a Connacht rivalry.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Walsh apparently relishes this fixture. “It is a massive thing, the Galway-Mayo rivalry. The game always takes on a life of its own”.

Joyce will need Walsh to return to full form straight off the bat with his other top forward absent. Otherwise, selections in the full-back line remain an interesting one. Aidan O’Shea wreaked havoc in Tuam Stadium with Sean Andy O’Ceallaigh unable to tame the Breaffy beast. Sean Mulkerrin could be drafted into the full-back line. The versatile, young defender could be assigned to Conroy or O’Connor, or even O’Shea if Joyce trusts him enough. He featured against Dublin last time out.

While it may be tough to predict the Galway team, it is certain that it will be different to the one Mayo faced a few weeks ago. Joyce’s team will be out to prove that they’re the strongest team in Connacht but the selections the manager makes will be important. Traditionally, Mayo improve as they play more games. For that reason, five games in five weeks may not hinder them. This could clash nicely with Galway’s freshness and hunger for Championship football.

With Kerry now out of Munster, Mayo and Galway know that a win here means a great chance of reaching an All-Ireland final. It’s a shame fans can’t be in attendance as this is shaping up to be one of the best Galway-Mayo games in recent years.

The game is live on RTÉ.

Mayo are slight favourites with Paddy Power at 10/11. Otherwise, Galway at 11/10 and a draw is 15/2.

Prediction: Mayo. The loss of Damien Comer is a huge one for Galway. Either Lee Keegan or Paddy Durcan will be assigned to Walsh and the other Mayo backs should be good enough to silence the Galway front line. The middle third will be a huge battle ground in this game. Galway need to be on top here to stop the Mayo half-backs launching attacks.

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP CLASHES 

2019: Mayo 2-13 Galway 1-13 (Qualifier Round 4) 

2018: Galway 1-12 Mayo 0-12 (Connacht quarter-final) 

2017: Galway 0-15 Mayo 1-11 (Connacht semi-final) 

2016: Galway 1-12 Mayo 0-12 (Connacht semi-final) 

2015: Mayo 1-15 Galway 2-8 (Connacht semi-final) 

LAST FIVE CONNACHT FINAL CLASHES 

2014: Mayo 3-14 Galway 0-16 

2009: Mayo 2-12 Galway 1-14 

2008: Galway 2-12 Mayo 1-14 

2005: Galway 0-10 Mayo 0-8 

2006: Mayo 0-12 Galway 1-8 

Facts and Figures

(1) James Horan led Mayo to four championship wins over Galway in 2011-13-14-19. Padraic Joyce is in his first season as Galway manager. 

(2) Mayo beat Galway by 3-23 to 0-17 in their Allianz League clash in Tuam last month. 

(3) Mayo have won two games in the Connacht championship this year, beating Leitrim by 2- 15 to 0-10 and Roscommon by 1-16 to 0-13. Sligo’s withdrawal due to Covid-19 left Galway qualifying for the final without a game. 

(4)Mayo are seeking their first Connacht title since 2015 while Galway last won it in 2018.

(5)The winners will play Cork or Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final. 

Connacht Final: Galway vs Mayo, Sunday, 15th November, 13:30 (Pearse Stadium). 

https://3.249.64.60/gaa/5-biggest-gaa-shocks-this-century/

What a weekend of #GAA SFC action! Take a look at the highlights in this #GAANOW Football Weekend Round-Up. pic.twitter.com/VAZMtkJNIk

— The GAA (@officialgaa) November 10, 2020

https://3.249.64.60/gaa/5-biggest-gaa-shocks-this-century/

https://twitter.com/officialgaa/status/1326169742336356352

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Leitrim suffered relegation themselves in the League. They had a chance of survival if they beat Tipperary in the final round. However, a two-point loss sealed their fate. Previously, they had to concede the game against Down. This was a result of players waiting on Covid-19 test results and not being able to field a team.

It has been twenty years since Leitrim last made it to a Connacht final. This year, they again drew the short straw as even an upset against Mayo would pit them against Roscommon in the semi-final with Galway on the other side of the draw. The return to action hasn’t exactly given Leitrim fans reason to be hopeful about this game. However, with no qualifiers to fall back on, they may relish the chance to take on some of the best in the game and see how they fare.

Can Mayo master Connacht again?

Mayo have not won a Connacht Championship since 2015 (their fifth in a row). This is surprising considering they made it to the 2016 and ’17 finals and 2019 semi-final. Indeed, it has been Connacht that has proven the hardest for Mayo to conquer in recent years.

When Mayo trounced Galway in the first game back recently, the familiar echoes of ‘Mayo are back’ echoed around the west. But, in typical Mayo fashion, they undid their hard work at home a week later to end their 23-year spell in Division 1.

This could prove to be the best thing to happen to James Horan’s side. In recent seasons, after losing in Connacht, Mayo progressively got stronger during the qualifiers. But, a loss this year does not yield a second chance. Therefore, with defeat already on their backs, Mayo could fall into the familiar pattern of finding form when they are on their last life.

The final two League games made for interesting reading for Mayo fans. The team selections yielded some very exciting prospects (e.g Tommy Conroy, Mark Moran, Eoghan McLoughlin, Oisin Mullin) but it was perhaps Aidan O’Shea’s deployment at full-forward that most caught the eye.

O’Shea was the biggest anarchist against Galway and even if he did not repeat the trick against Tyrone, the tactic is a good option to have. In fact, Leitrim could be the best place to experiment with such a move again.

The likes of O’Shea and Cillian O’Connor have been around for longer than it seems now. Likewise, the Keegans, Vaughans, and Parsons are aging faster than Mayo fans would want. As a result, this could be the greatest chance for Mayo to launch an All-Ireland quest again. It will only require five wins in a row to go all the way (Mayo played 10 games in the 2017 campaign). The new injection of youth could complement the experienced heads nicely.

LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP CLASHES

Things to note

Betting

Leitrim are as long 14/1 to cause an upset. Mayo are 1/66 and a draw is 33/1.

The game is being shown on RTÉ News Now.

Prediction: Mayo.

Team News

Leitrim

1.Brendan Flynn

2.Donal Casey

3. Donal Wrynn

4. Conor Reynolds

5. David Bruen

6.Aidan Flynn

7.Cillian Mc Gloin

8. Mark Plunkett

9. Domnnaill Flynn

10. Conor Dolan

11. Paddy Maguire (Captain)

12. Jack Gilheaney

13. Shane Quinn

14.Evan Sweeney

15. Keith Beirne

Mayo

1. David Clarke – Ballina Stephenites
2. Oisín Mullin – Kilmaine
3. Stephen Coen – Hollymount/Carramore
4. Lee Keegan – Westport
5. Patrick Durcan – Castlebar Mitchels
6. Rory Brickenden – Westport
7. Eoghan McLaughlin – Westport
8. Matthew Ruane – Breaffy
9. Conor Loftus – Crossmolina Deel Rovers
10. Bryan Walsh – Ballintubber
11. Ryan O’Donoghue – Belmullet
12. Jordan Flynn – Crossmolina Deel Rovers
13. Tommy Conroy – The Neale
14. Aidan O’Shea – Breaffy (C)
15. Cillian O’Connor – Ballintubber

Connacht Football Championship Quarter-Final: Leitrim vs Mayo, Sunday, November 1st, 13:15 (Carrick-on-Shannon).

We begin our @ConnachtGAA campaign next Sunday against Leitrim in Carrick on Shannon at 1:15pm.

The game will be live on @RTENewsNow, sky channel 521. #mayogaa pic.twitter.com/NBsjMJ9VbQ

— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) October 27, 2020

https://3.249.64.60/gaa/could-mayos-relegation-be-a-blessing-in-disguise/

https://3.249.64.60/gaa/could-mayos-relegation-be-a-blessing-in-disguise/

https://twitter.com/MayoGAA/status/1321106158480953345

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Awesome indoors of the Air Dome what a magnificent facility massive credit to @PruntyPitches @ireland_sis #ConnachtGAA pic.twitter.com/buXNkedLDs

— Connacht GAA (@ConnachtGAA) July 23, 2020

The development includes a full 4g playing pitches, a running surface and training facilities such as gyms and dressing rooms. RTE state that the centre will be the biggest indoor playing facility in the world. The inflatable covering has been since pulled over the site, work began on Friday of filling the air and that has since been completed.

The dome itself can be used for a variety of additional training facilities in the province. It can be used as a conference centre, while other options on a larger scale could also be considered down the line. CEO of the Connacht Council, John Prenty said, work was ongoing to future-proof the development, with the GAA offering naming rights and sponsorship options to interested businesses.

The €3.1m cost of the dome has been funded by €2.1m by the Exchequer, with Croke Park contributing a further €700,000.The remaining balance and  costs are being paid for by Connacht GAA. The dome itself covers and area of 150m x 100m. It will also see energy conserved and will see a low level of running costs.

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Midwest Radio report that the project which started in October of last year will now be completed by September. Works ha to stop on the project owing to Covid 19. The facility will be one of the largest indoor sports facility of it’s kind in the world will have gyms, a full size pitch, dressing rooms, testing area and office space. The dome will be 150m x 100m and 26m high.

John Prenty told the 42.ie that workers have been back since Monday, he said, ‘They’re back since Monday, it’s brilliant to be back on track.‘We were almost ready to lay the pitch. Prenty said that if they got three more weeks without a shutdown then the pitches could be laid and work on the dome could then begin. He said, ‘I’d say if we got maybe three weeks more without a shutdown we would have that the pitch laid and we’d be ready to be putting the actual dome together. ‘But that didn’t happen so now we’re about three weeks behind schedule. Hopefully by the middle of next week we’ll be ready to lay the carpet on the pitch. All the other work will have been done”.

It is thought the pitch will be similar in size to that of Elvery McHale Park, while it will also be able to host inter-county games for up to 600 people. I personally think it will do a lot for GAA in Connacht and will bring people together when it does open. It will be great to see the facilities been used.

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