*Saturday April 2 *

EirGrid Connacht Under 21 Championship Final

**Roscommon v Mayo, Markievicz Park, 6pm **

By Cian O'Connell

Roscommon under 21 manager Mark Dowd is encouraged by the progress Roscommon have made in this year’s Connacht Championship.

Saturday’s Markievicz Park decider with Mayo is a fascinating fixture, and Dowd, a highly regarded coach, is looking forward to the clash.  “It is back to a rematch of the 2013 Connacht minor final, it will be interesting to see how the teams have developed,” Dowd admits.

“At the moment there are two different stories going on in Roscommon in a way. The seniors have been on a very good run, but we were slightly worried coming into the under 21 Championship because of the injuries we had earlier in the year.

“Thankfully some of those cleared up because I felt we were at a lower base with so many injuries. Gradually they are recovering and we are getting back to full strength which is brilliant.”

Preparing for a first Connacht under 21 final appearance since 2009 Mayo boss Michael Solan is relishing the challenge of playing 'standard bearers' Roscommon at Markievicz Park.

Roscommon have claimed four of the last six provincial titles at this level in the west so Solan is aware of the significant threat the holders carry.

“We expect a tough test and it should be a very good game,” Solan acknowledges. “Both panels have plenty of quality footballers involved and we know how good Roscommon are. They've been the standard bearers at under 21 level in Connacht for the past six or seven years.”

Mayo produced a solid performance netting four goals when defeating Leitrim by 4-12 to 0-15 in the Connacht semi-final.

Solan was pleased with how Mayo adequately dealt with Leitrim. “Going into the first round is always difficult,” Solan admitted.

“There is no established form line, but the key thing is to get through the first round. That is all you have to do; to get a result. Then you can assess areas that you need to improve on so we were happy to get the win over Leitrim.

“It sets us up for a Connacht final with Roscommon, but we know that there are plenty of areas in which we must improve. That is the challenge for us because Roscommon will be formidable opposition.”

Roscommon chief Dowd was ‘delighted’ with the composure Roscommon demonstrated when registering victories over Galway and Sligo.

“Definitely we are delighted with the fact that we have beaten Galway and Sligo. The Galway game was massive for us, it was our focus for months. It was a huge step up from the Hastings Cup and challenges we had.

“When Roscommon and Mayo played in the minor final three years ago it was a close enough game. I feel that the under 21 final will be similar. It really will come down to the last five minutes, whoever stays cool and wants it more will win.”

Dowd steered Ballaghadereen to Mayo county glory in 2012, a panel which included current Mayo under 21 boss Michael Solan.  “Mike Solan and John Ginty, he was a selector with me with Ballaghadereen,” Dowd said.

“I know the lads, I've huge respect for them and what they are trying to do. Mayo will have prepared very well so it should be a very good game.”