|
Coyne's double thwarts Mayo's ambition CONNAUGHT UNDER-21 HURLING 'B' FINAL Roscommon 2-7 Mayo 2-5 Playing with the aid of a gale force wind in the opening half, Roscommon controlled this lacklustre Connaught under-21 'B' Hurling Final for long periods. A tactical switch of full-back Adrian Coyne to the forwards at the start of the game proved a huge success for Roscommon. Two first half goals from Coyne gave his side a 2-5 to 0-2 interval lead. Roscommon played the better hurling in the opening half and if it wasn't for some wayward shooting, they would have been further in front at the interval. Coyne's strong presence and cuteness in front of goal was the real difference between these evenly matched sides. Coyne hit the first of his two goals in the 10th minute when midfielder John Galvin found himself in acres of space on the edge of the small square. His low shot gave Mayo custodian Declan Cafferkey no chance. Twelve minutes later Coyne hit the net again, this time he fired home from close range after the Mayo defence was in sixes and sevens. Further first half-points from Shane Naughton, Alan Gately and Mervin Connaughton put Roscommon into a commanding lead. Pierce Higgins from a free and Michael Curley from play, were the two Mayo players to register points in the opening half. Mayo produced a titanic revival at the start of the second half, and after just five minutes, Michael Curley had the sliotar in the back of the Roscommon net, his first time pull deceiving the Roscommon goalkeeper, Adrian Daly. Mayo piled on the pressure and for the first time in the game, they were dominating midfield. Adrian Hession, Derek Walsh and Patrick Freyne added points and then in 23rd minute, pierce Higgins shot the second Mayo goal to leave the minimum between the sides. Roscommon however steadied the ship in the final minutes and two well taken individual points from Mark Dwyer and Alan Gately gave them a deserved victory. Best for Mayo were Westport's Sean Scott at centre half-back, Adrian Hession at midfield and Pierce Higgins in attack. Roscommon had outstanding performances from Adrian Coyne, Alan Gately, Mervin Connaughton and John Galvin. Mayo: Declan Cafferkey, Don Regan, Michael Healy, James Carty, Derek Walsh (0-1), Sean Scott, Sean Gantley, Patrick Freyne (0-1), Adrian Hession (0-1), Michael Ruane, Pierce Higgins (1-1), Brian Flanagan, Michael Curley (1-1), Hugh Ruane and Nigel Reape. Sub: Seamus London for M. Healy. Roscommon: Adrian Daly, Seamus Lawlor, Adrian Coyne (2-2), Michael Craven, Enda McConn, Donal Needham, Frank Carr, Mervin Connaughton (0-1), John Galvin, Brian Flynn, Mark Dwyer (0-1), Shane Naughton (0-1), Alan Gately (0-2), Brian Keane and Michael Gleenan. Sub: M. Mulvey for M. Gleenan.
|
