Monday August 7

All Ireland SFC Quarter-Final replay

Mayo v Roscommon, Croke Park, 2pm

In a fast and frenetic end game with turnovers being forced, chances were created and spurned, but few groaned about the possibility of a replay.

While it mightn’t necessarily have topped Mayo’s list, the Green and Red were content to remain in the hunt for Sam Maguire following Roscommon’s explosive start.

Roscommon weren’t able to shrug off Mayo’s spirited resistance following the early break, but another outing at Croke Park gives a developing panel more experience in an environment everyone wants to operate in.

Undoubtedly significant room for improvement exists for the two teams, who only flickered during the drawn encounter.

Following his Connacht Final tour de force, Enda Smith, had to deal with the remarkable drive and resilience of Lee Keegan, who drove forward to kick 1-3.

Keegan’s goal was a key moment so how Roscommon set-up on Monday will be worth watching. When Enda Smith went to full forward, Mayo missed the athleticism Keegan provides when further up the field.

When inside Smith did contribute one delicious pass for his brother, Donie, to score a fine point. Will Roscommon opt to leave him on the edge of the square? Can Mayo afford to keep Keegan there?

Mayo will also be hoping to be more clinical in attack. In the dying minutes Mayo failed to convert a string of opportunities. That did owe much to a sterling defensive effort from Roscommon with John McManus and Sean Mullooly relishing the physical exchanges.

Such grit and determination was a hallmark of Roscommon’s play during the tussle. Even when it wasn’t happening for Roscommon, they ploughed on and were nearly rewarded with a famous triumph.

It has been an epic adventure for Mayo, who have featured in games against Sligo, Galway, Derry, Clare, Cork, and Roscommon since May.

An action packed and demanding schedule which also included two extra-time victories over Derry and Cork, Mayo are well versed in tension filled Championship games.

Roscommon’s recent history isn’t loaded with those type of outings, but they are developing nicely under Kevin McStay’s careful guidance.

The Murtagh brothers and Cian Connolly are capable attackers, who only showed glimpses of their ability last weekend. At the opposite end can Roscommon tame O’Connor and Andy Moran once more?

Roscommon return to the Jones Road venue aware of Mayo’s character, but McStay’s team will also be quietly confident about reaching the penultimate stage. It is a huge prize. Whoever sets up an August 20 date with Kerry will have earned it the hard way.

MAYO: David Clarke; Brendan Harrison, Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins; Colm Boyle, Chris Barrett, Paddy Durcan; Lee Keegan, Seamus O'Shea; Kevin McLoughlin, Aidan O'Shea, Diarmuid O'Connor; Jason Doherty, Cillian O'Connor, Andy Moran.