The county’s hurlers made a positive start to their Rackard Cup campaign this afternoon, as they beat neighbours Roscommon by 1-21 to 1-14 in their opening round clash at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

Meetings between these two teams are often closely fought affairs and today’s encounter was no different. Our lads had the best of the opening exchanges but they lost midfielder Joe Burke to a red card shortly before half-time. By then the visitors had rallied and they went on to take a two-point lead into the break.

Things got worse for the home side on the resumption as Roscommon’s Ben McGahon scored a goal direct from a sideline cut. A point soon after for the Rossies left 14-man Mayo six behind.

Three unanswered points – two frees from Shane Boland and a Liam Lavin free – cut the deficit down to more manageable proportions. Then, after Roscommon had tacked on a further point, five on the spin from our lads edged them back in front.

Momentum was now clearly with the home team and, when Cormac Phillips found the net with seven minutes to go, they were five clear and on their way to victory. Further pointed frees from Shane Boland and one from play by Cormac Phillips sealed a seven-point win.

Next up for the hurlers is a Round 2 trip to Armagh this day week.