Early in the second half in Roscommon's on-again, off-again home in Hyde Park, the unthinkable looks like a distinct possibility.
Roscommon are losing.
Relegation zone scrappers Mayo lead 1-8 to 04. Roscommon, who scored 4-25 against Cork in Pairc Ui Rinn mustered 0-3 at home to Mayo in a half of football. The unsexy looking scoreline is largely attributable to the state of the Hyde Park pitch, which was pockmarked with puddles before throw-in.
The surface survived a pre-match pitch inspection and went ahead.
It is Roscommon's first League game at Hyde Park this year. Previous 'home' games have been played in Longford and Kiltoom (a proper home game in fairness).
Unsurprisingly, Mayo supporters are very satisfied with the way the game has progressed, with some chiding the Rossies for believing their own hype and another confidently predicting that the championship match-up would likely go the same way.
UPDATE: A late Roscommon rally narrowed the margin to four points at the end. Mayo win 1-11 to 1-7.
Pitch in some state here #rosgaa #mayogaa gonna be tough weather conditions hail & wind #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/EWdPk2LySc
— Michael Maye (@mayo_mick) March 27, 2016
Pitch inspection is the swimming pool in Hyde Park. This game might be off? Ground looks woeful. #Mayo #Rosmommon pic.twitter.com/Vb4uz191tp
— Barry Brennan (@BarryJohnB) March 27, 2016
Maurice Deegan completing the pitch inspection & the game goes ahead in Dr Hyde Park,said its soft in places #GAA pic.twitter.com/RrtZZVyM0O
— UnOfficialGaa (@unofficialgaa) March 27, 2016
Mayo leading Roscommon in the water polo. Doctor Hydro Park. #gaa
— Roy Curtis (@RoyCurtis68) March 27, 2016
Everyone at the Mayo/Roscommon game "Don't hop the ball lads!" ? wreckless pitch conditions ? #GAA #MayoVsRoscommon
— Pádraigín Ní Mhurchú (@patriciamurf) March 27, 2016
Pitch for Mayo vs Roscommon looks brutal, puddles everywhere #AllianzLeagues
— Oisín MacAnBhiocaire (@OisinMacAnB) March 27, 2016
Disgraceful pitch in roscommon by the way!
— Conor.mortimer (@Conmort) March 27, 2016
