James Horan waited until the action in the Sigerson Cup had concluded on Thursday afternoon before selecting his side for this Sunday’s clash with Kerry in McHale Park. Horan has made a number of changes from the side that lined out against Down in the opening round of the National League a fortnight ago. Into goal comes Breaffy’s Robert Hennelly for his first start in the Allianz League, the Breaffy man has been one of the most constant performers for both club and the underage county sides over the past few years. Tom Cunniffe holds onto his spot in the corner, with Ger Cafferkey moving back to full back after being previously placed at centre half back in the league opener. Belmullet Chris Barrett who didn’t make the match day 26 for the league opener gets the nod at number four. Peadar Gardiner and Trevor Howley come into the half back line with Kevin McLoughlin holding on to his spot along that line. The midfield pairing of Jason Gibbons and Ronan McGarrity will once again patrol the middle third. The Ballintubber and Ballina Stephenites combination looks like one that will be the preferred one for Horan in the long run. Aidan Campbell comes into the side in the half forward line with Andy Moran getting the number 11 shirt with Alan Dillon on the other flank. Aidan O’Shea moves into the corner from the last day out in the league, with Aidan Kilcoyne being rewarded for his good showing against NUIG getting the nod at full forward with Mark Ronaldson retaining his place in the corner. Mayo are of course without the injured duo of Alan Freeman and Enda Varley from the side which started against Down and a number of other players are still out injured since before the start of the season.
Mayo: R Hennelly; T Cunniffe, G Cafferkey, C Barrett; P Gardiner, T Howley, K McLoughlin; J Gibbons, R McGarrity; A Campbell, A Moran, A Dillon, A O’Shea, A Kilcoyne, M Ronaldson. Subs: K O’Malley, C Hallinan, J Burke, J Moran, T Parsons, C Freeman, N Douglas, J Doherty, A Feeney, D Killeen, C O’Connor.
Murt makes a few changes
Mayo senior hurling manager Murt Connolly has made a number of changes from the side that defeated Roscommon in Tooreen last Sunday for this Sunday’s game against Fingal. Out goes dual start Keith Higgins who hit nine points for Mayo against Roscommon, he is away at the minute and won’t be involved with the footballers either on Sunday. Captain Derek McConn moves from centre half back to midfield to fill the gap left by Higgins. Castlebar’s Darren McTighe comes into the corner forward position after starting on the bench the last day. Paul O’Grady who started the last day drops out of the side with Belmullet’s Derek McDonnell coming in at full forward.
Mayo: D O’Brien; S Connell, A Connolly, G Henry; S Morley, P Connell, C Ryan; D McConn, B Higgins; N Murphy, E Madigan, K Feeney ; D McTighe, D McDonnell, S Hoban. Subs: K Jordan, D Horan, A Brennan, C Freeman, T Morley, M Morley, P O’Grady, D Gallagher, V Flannery, C Staunton, P Byrne
Busy day for Freeman
One man who will not be having to much rest on Sunday is Cathal Freeman, the Aghamore footballer and Torreen hurler has been named as a sub for both Mayo senior sides for Sunday’s double header in McHale Park. Freeman will start the morning on the bench for the hurlers wearing the number 19 shirt, and will finish up wearing the number 21 shirt for the footballers.
