Sky Live: Mayo look to build on momentum against rivals Roscommon

Mayo will be looking to continue to build under James Horan, having won the National League and negotiated a trip to New York, when they host Roscommon on Saturday evening.

However, the Rossies have caused their Connacht neighbours real issues in recent years, and will be quietly confident of causing an upset to reach their fourth provincial final in succession.

Talking points

Will Mayo end Connacht woes?

For a team that won five Connacht Championships at the start of the decade, provincial success has dried up for Mayo. Roscommon and Galway have shared the last three titles, with the men in green and red failing to reach a final in that time.

James Horan knows this group have clocked up more than their fair share of mileage in the qualifiers in recent seasons, and will be eager to take the direct route to the Super 8s.

Will Roscommon spring the latest upset of summer 2019?

The Rossies will be more than happy to come into this tie as underdogs. They were by no means disgraced throughout the Division 1 campaign despite relegation, and Anthony Cunningham will have learned a great deal about his squad.

They showed in their demolition of Leitrim that they mean business. After Limerick and Cavan caused upsets in recent weeks, the Rossies will feel they can send Mayo into Monday’s qualifier draw.

Key players

Aidan O’Shea (Mayo): The Breaffy club man was at his brilliant best throughout the National League campaign, pulling the strings from the middle of the park. While he has so often been moved around the field to fulfil different roles, he seems to be really thriving in this current position.

The manner in which he sprayed the ball around the Croke Park surface in the final win over Kerry would suggest he can cause the Rossies serious issues.

Conor Cox (Roscommon): Anthony Cunningham’s import from the Kingdom has been a revelation thus far in 2019. The former Sigerson Cup winner with UCC is a real scoring threat, and possesses a finishing quality in the inside full-forward line which will have caused Horan a great deal of worry.

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