I can’t say I can ever recall a Mayo team being announced in the early hours of the morning before but there’s a first for everything I suppose. Hot off the presses, then, here’s the details of the team and subs for our NFL clash with Galway in Tuam on Sunday:
Mayo (NFL Division One v Galway, 27/2/2011): Robert Hennelly (Breaffy); Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchels), Alan Feeney (Castlebar Mitchels), Chris Barrett (Belmullet); Richie Feeney (Castlebar Mitchels), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), James Burke (Ballymun Kickhams, Dublin); Ronan McGarrity (Ballina Stephenites), James Kilcullen (Ballaghaderreen); Aidan Campbell (Swinford), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber), Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore); Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen), Jason Doherty (Burrishoole). Subs: Kenneth O’Malley (Ballinrobe), Ruaidhri O’Connor (Ballintubber), Peadar Gardiner (Crossmolina), Cathal Hallinan (Ballintubber), James Moran (Burrishoole), Tom Parsons (Charlestown), Aidan Kilcoyne (Knockmore), Enda Varley (Garrymore), Neil Douglas (Castlebar Mitchels), Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber), Mark Ronaldson (Shrule-Glencorrib).
It’s too late in the night for any considered analysis on that list except to note that James Burke and Jason Doherty are both being given their first league starts with James Kilcullen making his first appearance for the county since, by my reckoning, the league final of 2007. I dunno what the story is with James Gibbons but it’s interesting that Kilcullen has been parachuted straight into the starting fifteen ahead of the likes of Tom Parsons and James Moran.
Kevin McLoughlin’s move to the forwards is also noteworthy (though those sharp lads on gaaboard.com were talking about just such a switch earlier in the week), with Mark Ronaldson and Aidan Kilcoyne the fall guys for the rather toothless performance by the forwards the last day. Alan Dillon switches to 11 where hopefully he’ll put his largely anonymous display against Kerry to rights.
Good to see Enda Varley and Neil Douglas featuring in the subs – maybe that injury list isn’t as horrendous as we’ve been hearing.
Right – that’s enough analysis for this late hour.
Delighted to see Kilcullen put in. Parsons has dried up, never followed on after a great start. last week I was worried with the pick, Horan seemed to be reverting to Johnnoisms but this week he shakes the bag and gives us a few new sweets to munch on. Looking forward to seeing the fresh blood. Should have been done four years ago but like today an election had to be fought then as well. At least Horan can focus on the team.
Great to see some new faces & new positions.
Last year we were winning league games & got complacent with some average players.
Just hope we focus on the spine of the team & get it right.
That said it is allways great to beat Galway.
Defence looks solid. Kilcullen deserves another chance but up to him now. Forwards…….andy at ff worth a go, kevin at wing forward also a good call. AOS……just keep it simple lad. Catch and lay off. In fairness Horan is sticking with him. Would like to see Killer again and Cillian at some stage. Hope for some good weather now.
Come on mayo lets get 2 points on the board