Mayo have two representatives in Anthony Tohill’s preliminary squad announced this week with Ballinrobe’s Donal Vaughan being rewarded for his impressive summer in the green and red with a selection. Joining him in the 31 man preliminary squad is Australian based Pearse Hanley who plays Australian Rules football for the Brisbane Lions. Hanley (22 ) played just one season for the Mayo senior football team in 2007 before he departed for the Lions. Hanley previously played for the Irish u17 International Rules team where he won the Ron Barassi medal for the best player at the grade. He has played 34 times for the Lions since making his debut in 2008.
Five in the shake up for All Stars
Mayo’s run to this year’s All Ireland semi-final has seen five players make the shortlist for this year’s GAA/GPA football All Stars which will be announced soon. The five Mayo players to get the nod are Donal Vaughan and Trevor Mortimer in the half forward line. Mayo captain Alan Dillon, who previously won an All Star in 2006, is in the mix for selection once again on the half forward line. Cillian O’Connor has capped an impressive debut season with a nomination in the full forward line along with Andy Moran who is currently recovering from an injury he picked up training with the International Rules squad a few weeks ago.
Trio ratified for 2012 season
The Mayo football manager line up for the 2012 season was completed this week when the outgoing managers at a number of grads were ratified to continue for another year. Tony Duffy will once again take charge of the minor side for a third year. Duffy brought the minors to the 2010 All Ireland semi-final, but saw his side defeated by Roscommon at the Connacht semi-final stage this year. Ray Dempsey will also go into his third year in charge of the Mayo u21s. Dempsey previously brought the minor side to two All Ireland finals in a row in 2008 and 2009, but has seen his side knocked out of the Connacht Championship by Roscommon for the past two seasons. John Kelly will be in charge of the Mayo Junior side next term for a second year, he brought Mayo to the Connacht final this year before they were defeated by Sligo.
O’Neill comes on board as senior trainer
As was widely expected Dr Cian O’Neill will be linking up with James Horan’s Mayo senior set up as team trainer next season. O’Neill’s appointment was ratified this week. The Kildare native who is the course director of the BSc physical education at the University of Limerick previously was the trainer for the Tipperary hurling team and was part of their set up when they won the 2010 All Ireland championship.
Mortimer to make capital move
According to reports Shrule-Glencorrib will be without the services of former All Star Conor Mortimer from next season on. Mortimer who returned from a cruciate ligament injury in the middle of the summer is reported to be linking up with the Parnells club from Coolock/Artane area of Dublin for next year.
