When looking at Fintan Cregg’s first half looper, we are reminded of a Lee Keegan goal at this very stage against Donegal in 2015.
We are reminded of a Daniel Flynn wonder point against Dublin three weeks ago.
It all boils down to the one question, did he mean to do it?
Whether he meant it or not, the dashing Roscommon attacker deserves high praise for ghosting through the heart of the Mayo defence, attacking and catching a fine ball, before somehow wriggling himself free of the challenges of three Mayo defenders.
He set himself up for the chance, he looped it over a hapless David Clarke in an unorhadox fashion, and he well deserved his goal.
This SportsJOE writer is going to give the Rossie midfielder the benefit of the doubt, simply because of the way he appears to softly caress the ball, where most others would have attempted blazed it if they were going for a point.
As well as this, he takes a quick look up after hitting the ball, even when hitting the ball, which suggests he had peaked at Clare being off his line.
Mayo 1-01 Roscommon 2-02 after 15 mins, helped by this Fintan Cregg gem. Savour the full highlights on The Sunday Game tonight (RTE2 9.30pm) pic.twitter.com/84UKfl4mNW
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 30, 2017
That beauty wasn’t the only stand out moment from a simply breathtaking first half, between two of Ireland’s best supported counties, and two of their most exciting teams.
Ciaran Murtagh followed this one up with a fine finish of his own, before Lee Keegan rifled a deflected effort to the back of the Roscommon net.
The Connacht crowd are going wild.
After the goal, Roscommon went scoreless for twenty first half minutes, as a Mayo inspired Lee Keegan asserted their authority.
The sides went in at the break with the game finely poised with Mayo leading by two points on a scoreline of 1-08 to 2-03.
The goal divided many an opinion.
Fintan Cregg take a bow, definitely going for the goal there, judged to perfection! 👌🏻 #MAYOvROS
— Alan O Riordan (@AORiordan3) July 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/891677295555031040
Have your say on the Cregg goal here.
