Roscommon vs. Mayo - Connacht SFC Semi-final (Dr. Hyde Park, June 8th 2014)

[Chimley]

Would Mayo be better off if they lost this game?

No. Last year we came flying out of the traps and swatted everyone aside all the way up to the semi-final where we struggled against Tyrone and then capitulated against Dublin. The curve certainly went south after the QF rout of Donegal even though injuries played a part.
Dublin on the other hand were not overly impressive against Meath in the Leinster final or Cork in the QF but hit their peak against Kerry.
What would be ideal is to get past Roscommon without impressing and building momentum afterwards. This is not easy to do as Roscommon are building into a very fine side and if we're undercooked, we could come a cropper very fast.

[Bojangles]

After poor game against Derry in the league, Mayo will want to re-establish their championship credentials and wrap up Connacht fairly easily. Expect them to blast out of the traps against Ross and have a match-winning lead built up by half-time. Still 2 divisions between these teams despite our progress and that shows on a championship day. Mayo stronger in most positions and will take a serious team to the Hyde. Rossies will look to be competitive as long as possible, and try to keep the game alive.

[Collie Brolly]

We scored 6 points in the 2nd half yesterday against a Division 4 team.We will not beat Mayo and will be happy enough to keep within 6.

[Shrewdness]

Mayo will be a big step in class from anything we have faced so far in 2014. We all know, that barring a sensation, Mayo will win this game. What Ros need to do is put in a good performance to keep up morale etc heading to the qualifiers, where we could prove a handful for a lot of teams travelling the same route.

[Jinxy]

The Rossies are only itching to get to the qualifiers so they can take the bus on tour.

[macdanger2]

In all honesty, this is a game Mayo should win by 3-5 points. The Rossies are improving and being at home will be worth a couple of points but on paper Mayo look to be too good for them.

However, if Mayo are as lethargic as they were in second half of the league semi-final against Derry, then Roscommon will beat us pulling up - this is the fourth year on the go for this team and it will catch up with them at some point. At some stage in the second half, the game will be there to be won and if the Mayo lads don't want it enough then we'll have the Rossies on here crowing for weeks about thwarting our four-in-a-row. 

[Shrewdness]

We wouldn't be ''crowing for weeks''. It would be years!!

[macdanger2]

We wouldn't be ''crowing for weeks''. It would be years!!

Even if it was only weeks, it'd probably seem like years!!

[seafoid]

We wouldn't be ''crowing for weeks''. It would be years*!!

*Decades in the case of Syfin

Absolutely not worth the hassle of getting beaten by Ros who turn out to be subsequent cannon fodder for some other midlands mediocrity   

[Collie Brolly]

We are in group b of the qualifiers which is a lot tougher than group a.
If we fall through that trapdoor we could end up meeting our friends from Tyrone again.A nightmare scenario.

[Collie Brolly]

We wouldn't be ''crowing for weeks''. It would be years*!!

*Decades in the case of Syfin

Absolutely not worth the hassle of getting beaten by Ros who turn out to be subsequent cannon fodder for some other midlands mediocrity   

It twill not be long now until u boys are familiarising urselves with mediocrity.

[seafoid]

We wouldn't be ''crowing for weeks''. It would be years*!!

*Decades in the case of Syfin

Absolutely not worth the hassle of getting beaten by Ros who turn out to be subsequent cannon fodder for some other midlands mediocrity   

It twill not be long now until u boys are familiarising urselves with mediocrity.

It's worth waiting for la decima

[ross4life]

Rossies on here crowing for weeks about thwarting our four-in-a-row. 

four-in-a-row you say? we have been there done that and unfortunately we couldn't bring home Sam back then. The main question is are Mayo going to do likewise when ye win four-in-a-row this summer?

[seafoid]

Mayo need a Champions league style format with regular matches against the top teams and none of this playing Ros in "The Hyde ™ ".
Ros is a great bunch of lads and everything with a fine bus etc but they are not going to be around in August. 

[larryin89]

Hang on now , if you think I'm trying to do the aul play down our chances thing , you're mistaken,I genuinely believe we will be beat, my gawd I hope we are not , that goes without saying.

The last time we played in the Hyde, we were lucky, Cillian converted his frees and Donie shine didn't ,there was only a couple of points in it , if my memory serves me right. Sligo came very close in 12 to beating us in the Hyde too and we got the rub of the green there too , awarded a point that was wide.

Of course Mayo will be odds on but what odds would you of got in 1952 in McHale park for the Ross to beat the back to back all Ireland champions?