The team to play Down on Saturday night in our opening NFL Division One match of the year (throw-in 7.30 pm) has just been announced. Here it is:
Mayo (NFL Division One v Down, 5/2/2011): Kenneth O’Malley (Ballinrobe); Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchels), Cathal Hallinan (Ballintubber), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Richie Feeney (Castlebar Mitchels), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore); Ronan McGarrity (Ballina Stephenites), Jason Gibbons (Ballintubber); Andy Moran (Ballghaderreen), Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber, captain); Enda Varley (Garrymore), Alan Freeman (Aghamore), Mark Ronaldson (Shrule-Glencorrib).
The rest of the league panel has also been named and here’s the list of all those on it in addition to the above:
Robert Hennelly (Breaffy), Aidan Campbell (Swinford), Neil Douglas (Castlebar Mitchels), Andrew Farrell (Killala), Peadar Gardiner (Crossmolina), Eoghan Reilly (Castlebar Mitchels), Lee Keegan (Westport), Barry Moran (Castlebar Mitchels), Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber), Tom Parsons (Charlestown), Ruaidhri O’Connor (Ballintubber).
That’s it – I’ve no time to analyse the above in any way as I need to dash out shortly to see an hombre about a perro. More considered thoughts tomorrow.
is it a case with out with the old in with the new wondering why jason doherty and seamus o shea not mentioned is he enjoyed and jason worth considering ? I am glad aidan o shea is playing at 11 his best position. I dont think trevor will feature in james plans this year he is looking for attitude and desire and trevor hasnt shown that i am afraid good luck with his panel its a new begining
Looking at who’s left out is probably interesting at this stage. By my reckoning and from the FBD games the following are the unlucky ones:
Chris Barrett
Alan Feeney
Trevor Howley
David Killeen
James Burke
Cathal Freeman
Jason Doherty
James Kilcullen
Austin O’Malley
With these injured at the moment:
David Clarke
Peadar Gardiner
Seamus O Shea
Conor Mortimer
Pat Harte
and Trevor Mortimer unavailable
That’s a lot of talent that didn’t get the nod. Hard choices for James Horan
Delighted to see Jason Gibbons in there,no mortimers, they had their day in the sun, lets move on with the new talent, sure give them a chance, it will be a big step up for some of these guys, in particular the pace of the game, but at the end of the day what we need is strong players down the middle, that is the spine of the team, and James should try and get these areas of the team settled, look what happened to Billy Joe , he played practically in every position except in goal, we must not go down that road, i.e. replace a full back with a full back. Good luck to the new guys hope they do themselves justice.
Good luck to the new team. In fairness to Horan he mixed it up. Hoppefully he will keep this up. One or two in there I would give the old p45 to.
I like the look of that team, but I wouldn’t read too much into it yet. Isn’t the league panel open-ended? I wouldn’t rule out any of the lads who didn’t make this first 26 man cut.
Interesting to see Dillon as captain, Andy Moran as vice captain.
Dillon is an excellent choice for me. And who would have a better idea as to what qualities he could bring to the role, than the man who trained him for the past few years.
Disappointed not to see Jason Doherty on the panel. Was there possibly a deal made between Ray Dempsey and James Horan regarding the u-21 fellows like Doherty, Cathal freeman and others who could possibly join the senior panel as soon as the u-21 is finished? When is Keith Higgins going to be given a chance at no7?
And no place for Kilcoyne on the panel! Thats a bit of a surprise.
It looks like a very open ended panel to me. Teams can only name 26 of a panel for a league game, but i,am sure that,s far from a finalised panel!!
One of the biggest challenge will be getting a CHB and a FB that we can feel confident about. Those two positions are crucial because weaknesses here lead to soft scores and that just zaps the confidence of the team. These two guys need to be big, tough and talented and have a ferociously competitive and aggressive attitude. Nice guys in these positions are no use.
If James Horan can fill these two positions we are well fixed – if not it will be the same old story. Which begs the question – who?
As well as the two lads (Hallinan and Cafferky) who play on Sat night other possibilities for CHB are: Jason Gibbons, Tom Cuniffe, Seamus O Shea or possibly even Tom Parsons. Are there other potential CHBs. Not so sure about potential Full Backs – it is a funny position to fill. But we need to be imaginative in our thinking – think of Seamus Moynihan in Kerry – there was a time people would laugh at you if you suggested him as a FB.
Anyway – really looking forward to Sat night and win lose or draw I hope we show a bit of pride in the Green and Red and play with passion and determination.
Have to say good to see dillon with the captaincy, but agree with diehard surprised no place in the final batch for Kilcoyne always thought he was a threat.
very early days and difficult to pick a team based on limited training or games yet so open ended is the name of the game
Horan wont put up with any clowns it seems.Good luck to the new guys.From what ive seen these lads are more interested in the jersey than the cameras.But people,lets remember its going to take more than one year for him to shape a winning ethos and to get rid of the deadwood.Up our side!