It’s still over six weeks until the seniors make their first appearance in this year’s championship but the county Junior team are in action tomorrow evening (Wednesday) when they face Sligo in the Connacht semi-final. The clash against the Yeats County takes place at James Stephens Park, Ballina, where throw-in is 7.30pm and details of the team and subs named for this match are as follows:
Mayo (Connacht JFC semi-final v Sligo, 6/5/2015): Blake Forkan (Kiltimagh); Pat Barrett (Belmullet), Brendan Moran (Cill Chomain), Barry Leonard (Lahardane); Eoin O’Donoghue (Belmullet), Darren McHugh (Hollymount/Carramore), Mickey Barrett (Knockmore); Mícheál Forde (Ballycastle), Peter Collins (Islandeady); Gavin Conway (Ballaghaderreen), Cathal Freeman (Aghamore, captain),Padraic Feerick (Hollymount/Carramore); Damien McGing (Ballintubber), Andrew Farrell (Killala), Darragh Joyce (Islandeady). Subs: Matthew Flanagan (Balla), Brendan Carr (Ardagh), Neil O’Sullivan (Shrule/Glencorrib), Stephen Grealis (Achill), Conor Horan (Swinford), Darren Durcan (Parke), Kevin Newell (Ballina Stephenites), Brian Reape (Bohola Moy Davitts), Sean Gaughan (Belmullet).
The side named features a few well-known players, including three who have seen game time with the seniors. Aghamore’s Cathal Freeman, who captains the side at centre-forward, started two League matches for the county back in 2013, before suffering a series of injuries. Mícheál Forde from Ballycastle, meanwhile, is on the senior panel this year and was on the starting fifteen for the match against Derry up in Celtic Park in March. Hollymount/Carramore’s Darren McHugh was also on the senior panel for a while this year, featuring in two FBD matches. Injury curtailed his involvement after that, in fact I thought he was still injured.
Tomorrow evening’s match is set to be a tough one. Sligo are the reigning Connacht champions and they’re the dominant force within the province at this level – they’ve won four out of the last five Connacht JFC titles and are bidding to complete a provincial three-in-a-row this year.
The Magpies’ cause is undoubtedly helped by the preferential rules that apply to ‘weaker’ counties at Junior level. Any player who lined out at senior club championship level in Mayo last year isn’t eligible to play for the Juniors this year whereas in Sligo the only ineligible players are those who played senior inter-county championship football last year.
Them’s the rules, though, so Sean McLoughlin’s charges just have to get on with it, which I’m sure they will. Best of luck to them tomorrow evening.
Best of luck tomato tomorrow against a very strong Sligo team. Sligo use the junior as a launch pad for their senior squad. You could see 10 of their team tomorrow line out later this year for the seniors. Just a small correction willie joe, Micheal Forde is still on the senior panel.
Thanks Ceideboy, my mistake. I’ve corrected the post now.
Interesting to see Darren McHugh playing when he is not involved in senior panel due to injuries.
Jason Gibbons also played with his club last weekend also not involved with senior panel due to injury.
Also we have only one fit goal keeper David Clarke, other 2 are injured, RH ankle and KOM hand.
A few things not adding up right for sure donedeal.
Re Goalkeepers, I said several times over the past couple of months that we need three goalkeepers in the panel at all times.
I would hope to see Jason and Darren back in the panel shortly. It is only to be expected that they would have to prove their fitness before joining county training.
And re Junior, not wishing to jump ahead of tonight’s game but when is the Connacht Final if tonight’s game is a semifinal. I could get nothing on the Connacht Council website – as usual. I don’t think Galway or Roscommon bother with Junior in recent years and I think Mayo were due to play Leitrim a week ago but I’m told Leitrim didn’t enter a Junior team this year either.
@Done Deal
I think Jason Gibbons is just back from injury so he probably needs a couple of games at club level before getting back into the Mayo panel.
The same seems to be happening with Shane McHale and Cathal Carolan both are just back with there clubs but i don’t think either are back with Mayo yet.
Richie Feeney seems to be back playing with Castlebar but I dont think he is back with the Mayo squad either. Anyone know if he is coming back?
Good news if McHale is back. Was a big loss last year when Donaghy rose from the ashes. He will be needed if we face the Donaghy/Walsh twin towers later in the year.
Hope Jason Gibbons can stay fit and get back into the panel.He has had a very hard time with injuries over the last year but I think if fit and on form he has a lot to offer,McHale and Carolan likewise.Anyone know of any challenge games coming up???
Darren mchugh, mic Forde and Brian reape have been replaced by 3 subs
“2 Changes to Mayo Junior starting team: Conor Horan & Darren Durcan replace Darren McHugh & Michael Forde respectively #mayogaa
I don’t know , all seems a bit odd.
Galway are playing Leitrim in Junior championship now. They lead 1-5 to 3points at half time
@pacar the club games are off this weekend to facilitate a challenge match I hear but I have no details on the match
Well done to the Mayo junior team. Farrell and Feerick worked really well. I was not expecting a win at this stage.