The 2021 inter-county season gets underway this coming weekend, with the first round of action in the National Hurling League taking place.
For us, this means a Round 1 clash in NHL Division 2B against Derry. That match – which, needless to say, is behind closed doors – is fixed for MacHale Park next Sunday (9th May) where throw-in is at 3pm.
Ahead of Sunday’s opener, it was confirmed today that Keith Higgins – who is now devoting all his energies to the hurlers – has been appointed team captain for the year. Stephen Coyne will be vice-captain.
In case you haven’t got your copy yet, by the way, there’s a wealth of hurling content in this week’s edition of the Mayo News (paper and digital variants). Mike Finnerty has an in-depth interview piece with Cathal Freeman, Michael Gallagher has an article on the newly-unveiled strategic plan for hurling in the county and Edwin McGreal has a nice tribute to the late Stephen Broderick. Michael Commins has a wonderful three-page spread, meanwhile, on the scarcely believable tale about how Mayo qualified for the All-Ireland Minor hurling semi-final of 1964.
In other news, the new Mayo jersey went on sale this morning. Further details on the new jersey and where to get it are here.
Good luck to the hurlers against Derry. I am looking forward to seeing what Keith can bring to the set up. We were not far off last year and hopefully this year can see them win their way back up to the Christy Ring.
Also to the camogie team, first outing in some time, I think. I was only a gossoon at the time but I still remember hearing of Mayo Camogie in an All Ireland final led by Josie Ruane. Anybody able to put a year on it? 1959?
I see a nice feature on Eoghan McLoughlin on the RTE Sports website. The new jersey looks very well on him.
And finally back to what I was on about last evening, attendances at games in July. The RTE website reports that Micheál Martin has said that attendances will be trialled in July. At what sports would they be trialled if not GAA?
Remember, you heard it first from AndyD last evening on MayoGAABlog.
@Andy D, you are right 1959, Mayo were in the Camogie All Ireland final led by the great Josie Ruane.. I seen Josie name is honoured in the GAA Museum in Croke Park last time I was there..I think she was Mayo’s brightest star of that era, from what I’ve heard,..I think she played center half back and was Mayo’s leading scorer on the day. ..
Not sorry to see the end of maor foirne.
I think the 4 quarters is a good idea.
We are unlikely to see much of mayo on national tv in league.
Good win by the hurlers, beating Derry by 0-21 to 1-16. It was tense and tight in that second half against the wind but the lads did just enough to get over the line.
With a two points margin in Rosc v Kildare it looks like a tight Dvision 2B but we should have the quality to get through it.
Should have said Donegal, our Rackard Cup conquerers last year v Roscommon. Did Rosc beat us in the league or Rackard Cup last year?