We’ve just named our team to play Monaghan. Here it is:
Mayo (NFL Division One v Monaghan, 26/3/2023): Rob Hennelly (Raheny); Donnacha McHugh (Castlebar Mitchels), Padraig O’Hora (Ballina Stephenites), Sam Callinan (Ballina Stephenites); Michael Plunkett (Ballintubber), Jason Doherty (Burrishoole), Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore, captain); Bob Tuohy (Castlebar Mitchels), Matthew Ruane (Breaffy); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Frank Irwin (Ballina Stephenites), Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers); Conor McStay (Ballina Stephenites), Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet).
So it’s nine changes from the side that lined out against Donegal up in Ballybofey. Into the team for Sunday come Rob Hennelly, Donnacha McHugh, Padraig O’Hora, Michael Plunkett, Jason Doherty, Bob Tuohy, Kevin McLoughlin, Frank Irwin and Conor McStay. Out go Colm Reape, Jack Coyne, David McBrien, Conor Loftus, Paddy Durcan, Diarmuid O’Connor, Fionn McDonagh, Jack Carney and James Carr.
The best of luck to the lads on Sunday.
Well we’ve certainly got the changes. Will be very interesting to see how these lads perform. Would hope to see Towey get a half for Ryan as well.
Great to see so many players being given a chance, slightly surprised that Tommy Conroy not named, interesting with the Jason Doc experiment.
We will probably see some experienced players coming in as replacements, I.e DOC in for Mattie so looking for to seeing how it plays out.
Delighted to see Robbie, Padraig and Michael Plunkett get a run out. I was very critical of our team selection against Donegal, so very hapoy Kevin and co. are giving much needed game time to so many players. I and others on here were talking abput Tuohy as a potential midfield option, so great to see him being given a run out there, interesting to see how he gets on. Im seiriously impresed with Sam Callinan, I think we have a gem of a player there, who is going under the radar nationally. A nailed on championship starter I think.
Glad Diarmuid not starting. Only negative I have is id like to see Mattie given a rest. I beileve Mattie, Diarmuid and Jordan our are 3 MVP’s at the moment. Anyways best of luck to them all…especially the young lads.
Very good team with 9 changes.
Surprised no Conroy or Towey starting but a great position to be in.
Delighted with that. It’ll be a very competitive game with monaghan looking to escape the drop again. Injury to Rian O Neill opens that door… So it’s a good opportunity to see what lads can do..
Brilliant !!!!! Great chance for these lads to put their hands up for making the team or match day 26 for league final / Rossies ..
I understand Robbie,while injured is also renovating his home in Raheny, probably why he has not featured up to now
Delighted Aiden is playing to see how the new players interact with him.
RoD has to play as free taker.
Frank Irwin also pretty handy with the frees and Robbie for the longer range ones.
7 of the 9 making their first starts this year. Would have to wonder will starters from last week S Callinan,S Coen,M Ruane,J Flynn,A O’Shea,R O Donoghue actually start?
Great to see hennelly back but stand by my point I think it it is unfair if he replaces colm reape as number 1 goalie who has been doing a great job…
lets see how they hold up with no game time against a monaghan team in trouble….
still think mayo by 4 or so.
Delighted to see changes and squad depth but worried no height in fullbackline and no pace in half back line .
Not being negative just my opinion
Delighted with Bob Tuohy .
Would have liked to see the 2 Mcloughlins in half back line .
Frank Irwin and Conor Mcstay are two super players in the making, any word on Cillian surprised he not playing
Probably resting tommy c for the final
Eoghan Mclaughlin and Cillian are injured.
@outside the boot cilian got a bad knock in challenge against fermanagh should be back for championship..
Bob tough exciting young player great to see him start surprised no tommy conroy though?
Great to see some many getting a run. Robbie must be fit again. It will be interesting now to see which Goalies are involved in 26 for championship. Great to have lots of options in every position.
Great to see all the changes but hoping Towey starts instead of Ryan. We don’t need to see Ryan and Towey can take the frees.
Half back line is very weak. Good luck to Doherty but it’s a strange one, at 33 after two cruciate injuries.
Hennelly will start come championship I’d say.
Looks like McStay is really going for the League final. Even if that team starts, maybe the lads that are regulars will only play one half. Good to see other players get a chance. We’ll probably need everyone before the season is out.
Looking at Sundays team we have a fair idea towards the likely championship starting team on April 9th? (Hession probably ruled out)
C Reape
Jack Coyne D McBrien S Callinan
P Durcan C Loftus S Coen
D O’Connor M Ruane
F McDonagh J Carney Flynn
R O Donoghue A O’Shea J Carr
Delighted for Plunkett. He could push some of the starting 15 for a place. He’ll obviously need games, hope he shows well on Sunday and gives McStay another option. We’re in a good place, especially with the quality of Cillian and Eoghan to return, with the help of god.
I think Tommy C will get a run at some stage on Sunday. Cillian or Ryan have to start as do Aido or James Carr, not too surprised with FF line. I expect to see Paul Towey at some stage too.
Have to say Reape is no 1 in my eyes by a long way for championship
Aerially good, sweeper keeper excellent passing all rounder .
Byrnes unlucky hez a dam good goalie but I’d say hennelly on bench .
Another one is Where’s Darren mchale .
Rate him very highly , stats wise last year he was involved in most of our scores per contribution .
Must be injured but man he’d make some.contriubtion from bench with his wireless, speed and accuracy he can find pockets of space and draw frees
Would have been great to see him get run of games cause like Tommy C he has them natural abilities not many have
@outside of the boot: Yeah.
Rory Brickenden, Enda Hession, Eoghan McLoughlin, Darren McHale, Bryan Walsh and Cillian O’Conner (along with Brendan Harrison since last year) all currently out with knocks, none expected to be too long term though. With Michael, Frank and Robbie all making their return from injury this weekend that they’d been out with and carrying for a while.
@Louis Gunnigan: I’d actually love to see Frank thrown in at the deep end and put on the frees this weekend. He’s shown in underage and club he’s got the talent and technique with nothing like being thrown in to start working on the psychological side of it. Still half hoping we see Paul Towey in for Ryan before throw in but even as named a nice rotation to shake things up.
*Brendan Harrison. Woops.
You miss a year with ACL trouble and folks start getting your name wrong. Poor Brendan.
No worries, TsuDhoNim – I was sweeping up behind you there! Couldn’t let an Aghamore player be incorrectly named, could I?
Mayo have earned the right to put out whatever team they want for this game. I’d say Armagh will be concerned as this opens the door for the possibility of a last day escape for Monaghan again. Delighted the management are giving so many fringe players a run. Interesting that Jason replaces Loftus, neither being what we would call conventional half backs. There is a hell of a lot of championship games to be played (hopefully) this summer. Counties will need big panels so it is definitely the right thing to give so many lads game time.
It’s amazing how much the strengthen of the squad has changed over the last while that even after 9 changes that’s a pretty decent team and more to come back from injury. Like others posted i hope to see towey get a chance tomorrow also.
I would also like to see Towey get some game time. He only got a very small amount of game time last weekend. He did well and looked very lively when introduced. I have a feeling he might actually start tomorrow. Given ROD
A rest. We all know what ROD brings to the game.
After my trip to Donegal last weekend, I wasn’t going to bother travelling down on Sunday but after see this team , I’m definitely going .
Not getting carried away or talking about lifting silverware this year but it’s exciting times in Mayo football at the moment, a nice brand of football and a bit of a buzz again
I’d agree Chick, you’d imagine Towey would start for Ryan , if not he likely swap with McStay at half time. Other possible swaps/subs:
McBrien for Swanee
Darren McHale if recovered from knock in for Frank
Byrne for Hennelly (although Rob lilely get full game)
Orme if he’s recovered for Kevin
McLaughlin for Coen
Tommy in for Ryan
Carney/Cillian(less likely) for Aidan
I’d like to see Towey start but we need a recognised free taker on the pitch (maybe Aido could do it again?!)
As mentioned maybe Frank Iwrin but he has no experience of free taking at this level,there’s already 9 changes,doing that without a free taker would just be reckless and unnecessary.
@fw.towey is a good freetaker imo. The u20s game in tuam in the near storm a few years ago i think he kicked 6 frees and 3 from play so I’d say he’d be fairly reliable
Any of the named “regulars” on milestones? Like DOC last weekend
Thats a very decent team for the changes and a lot of sense (e.g. Doherty as backup for Loftus, O’Hora as alternative full back – tbc if harrison is another option when fit). Feels like management have had a very good league for trying out their ideas. Dont really know enough of Towey’s game to see how different a change he’d be (feels like having Fylnn and AOS as the only starters come championship might be too disruptive). Do hope he gets the 2nd half – him and Conroy coming on would be no bad thing at all.
A very interesting line out ,it should really show our strength in depth, and where we are in that area, but very important to give play time to all mentioned on the starting 15, the best of luck to all the squad, Hon Mayo,
Good to see all the changes for tomorrow and that the management team are trying to give every player on the panel a chance. It should be a cracker of a game against a Monaghan team fighting for their lives. Great to see Robbie and Michael Plunkett starting but unless there is a real standout performance from someone tomorrow you would expect that McStay has settled on his starting 15 for the championship. Lot’s of intriguing games tomorrow but I have a feeling we’ll be playing our old friends Kerry in the league final!
Would like Michael Plunkett to have a run out as the centre-half playmaker. Played most if not all his underage inter county football in the forwards. A very good kick passer who always plays with his head up and well able to score points from distance. He would also have a bit more defensive nous than Jason. In all fairness we have little to moan about because the extended panel and management have delivered so far.
FrostT not this week, Coen only has couple more to go to reach the 100
Thanks Gizmobobs
I am learning a lot through this Mayo GAA blog
Winning the league final is very important i think. To win a national final at croke park trumps a connacht championship for me. The real championship doesn’t start until june really and that is what the big guns kerry Dublin Galway wtc will be priming for. We are by no means as good as league protrays us. We just were way ahead in fitness focus and priority. Not sure some of the old problems are fixed..hole in centre of defence , soft goals, late collapses . Although progress seems to have been made in our forward play which is impressive and encouraging…
@Willie Joe: Out in front and sweeping up mistakes so fast even Brendan himself would be impressed with the performance. Cheers!
@Joe: Yeah. Michael definitely one of the names in that discussion you’d imagine. Did a fantastic job marauding forward in the second half of the ’22 league match against Dublin. Kev Mc another you could imagine doing a solid job there if needed. Be interesting to see if either of them step in to the role for a while tomorrow.
There is a an even spread of teams out there now among top tier. Crucial to rest guys with a load of games coming up. I think this management team are a cut above most out there. We should be in the mix later on. Plunkett may be a key man yet. Picked off some lovely points as well last year. Kerry are a one or two man team. The Dubs may be a bit too tired and old but still under the radar. The Northern lads are always dangerous but I dont think AI material.
That leaves ourselves and our neighbours. Dont write off the possibility. It is when you least expect it that Santa will come. But the key is to keep injuries as low as possible. If the big man on the edge of the square is looked after he will be crucial later on – but only in the square. He will deliver if he is looked after. Having said that I think the jury is still out on the back six. A great year so far.
Delighted to see Plunkett named to start. Should be a lining up as a championship starter in my view if fitness and sharpness has returned.
Down under management are doing well. But it’s same squad as last year plus Tuohy. Main difference is injuries clearing up and good young lads like Coyne, Hession etc. Year more S&C under belt.
If base it on squads available if have unbiased hat on I’d have it between ourselves and Dublin, with Galway close behind then Kerry. I do not think the winner be outside these 4.
I’d go full strength for league final, then like Lahanman I do not see Connacht as being that crucial. I’d use it to start the core of perceived championship team and rotate a few players in each game (if we get wins to progress) in each game to build depth and get minutes in returning players.
For as long as I can remember the debate around this time of year (February,March) going to league games was always ..where are we going to find that extra forward or 2, someone to naturally take a score, someone to take the load off Cillian’s back for example, so huge credit to Mcstay and his staff for completely reshuffling and redeveloping the forward line, instilling the confidence back into Carr which had gone missing in recent times and using Aido’s strengths and skill set up front to full effect, as well as the scoring form of a newly positioned Flynn the emergence of Carney alongside the now established Conroy and ROD we now have possibly our best options upfront for a very long time.
That would be the best thing I’d take from a really solid league campaign, and there is still time for another scoring forward to emerge and throw his name in the hat. Again well done to management
The big difference is in how players have upped their performance and their roles clearly defined. The whole approach is much more of a management / team working together.
It is great that they are now being asked to bring their A game to a ‘final’.
Aidan had scored over 20 goals and 90 points for Mayo before last week. He has done serious damage for Mayo in forwards before.
The hope is he can carry the form to the green fields of Jones road in July. We are in seriously strong position with our own strength and the standard of opposition.
My biggest concern would be the central defensive area. We haven’t been overly tested yet, but when we have been ran at through centre teams have made great joy. Looking forward to see how DOC goes tomorrow.
Won’t see it tomorrow but I’m looking forward to seeing how much more we can get out of this group.
We’re playing well, probably well enough to get out of an all Ireland group but I wouldn’t expect it’s enough to win the all Ireland.
Although with that said, I don’t think we’re hugely off the level Kerry reached last year.
feels like a breath of fresh air so far – let’s enjoy the journey
Believe,just believe,we are an outstanding team and outstanding management,we will win the league and all Ireland,we are in a very good position
Put down the glass Corick Bridge 😉
It’s way too early to be thinking about an All Ireland! We can win the league because we’re in the final. That’s it.
Don’t be a pessimist,we can and will both,you pay up for a pint for me
CHB and the tactic of playing a freelance player in this position will be put to test in league final. At least management will know whether to proceed or not with the tactic into the championship. Doherty i presume is understudy to Loftus gets his chance tomorrow. No rest for AOS, but 9 changes is an indicator of the competition. On paper it doesn’t feel much weaker team.
@Corick Bridge after 21 I just won’t get hopes up again until well into a final and we are ahead in the 2nd half in a final still remember the tears rolling down my face ha!
We have our mojo energy and confidence back and that’s thanks to mostly & co. We have no question an outstanding team who are more then capable of winning an all Ireland they just need the belief and to get rid of the stigma and it seems curse of loosing finals. Mcstay might be the answer to the Holy grail. But I am only looking at tomorrow’s match for now!
It is a great start to the season though!
Best of luck tomorrow guys mayo by 4 or 5 !
*mcstay&co
@Lahanman before the “real” Championship as you call it starts its first important to win Connacht which will give an better opportunity to win the group which includes a better schedule and the advantage of week rest over your opposition in the All-Ireland quarter final.
Any update on seriousness of injury to
Cillian
Hession
Mcloughlin
Skylineiri – if management want to provide an injury update on specific players, then I’m sure they will. Please don’t go fishing for updates here as that just invites others to post inside information that isn’t in the public domain, and which may or may not be in any way accurate. As you should know by now, posts of this nature aren’t something I want to encourage here.
Any sign of the subs bench issued yet.
Serious Concern – Club Football
With all the hype around the senior team i am seriously concerned on the lack of football for club players.
No club league games for another 3 weeks , club championship not starting for another 5 months.
Word on the ground mass exodus of players to USA for summer.
County board should not kill the goose that lays the golden egg
Go on Jason Doc, I hope you gave a mighty game, tough as teak. No injuries hopefully.
I agree New Departure. Some lads wont have played competitive matches for 9 or 10 months. It’s cracker stuff. Lots of players off to the States and they are dead right. Why bother waiting around when there is absolutely nothing to play for.
Good win for the u20s today against Clare in a challenge match.
David Dolan in goal arguably the best goalkeeping prospect I’ve ever seen. Only 17 yet. Scary
Is he the real tall lad I heard people raving about last year in an underage game.
@nephin. David Dolan is around 6’1″ or 6’2″ just judging from him in the U17 grade. He’s a naturally well built lad.
With that natural size and power he has a long kickout for a young lad.
I seen a comment worrying about lack of height in the full backline. Donnacha McHugh and Sam Callinane are both comfortably over six foot.
It’s great that we are really developing depth. Depth allows you to have more options in a horses for courses manner of thinking.
Depth allows us to be better prepared for a draw with extra time in the Connaught series or All Ireland prelim/quarter/semi.
If we win today with what will be a Mayo 1.5 team against a team fighting to survive it will show a depth we have honestly never had. Now, to clarify on a few asiects of what I mean.
I think right now we have a more effective first 15 than our peak 2017 team.
They look more flexibly coached to have a nice mix of a running and kicking game.
The attack looks far better coached.
The team has a protype modern full back who you can sit back and watch eat up high ball.
What David McBrien brings is that attacking Mayo with punted in high ball is nowhere near as effective anymore. Also McBrien is a good match up on the oppositions big physical inside line player. Those who have played corner back will tell you that a good full back is the number one foundation stone of a defence.
Secondly, I believe we now have even more pace and athleticism compared to our 2017 team.
Players are either quick over twenty yards or more of a diesel go all day type who are fast once into their stride.
With goal getters of Mattie Ruane, Diarmuid O’Connor, Ryan O’Donoghue, Aidan OShea, Ryan O’Donoghue and Cillian O’Connor we have far more goal threat in us.
Finally I think out to jersey 26 or 27 we simply have better and more experienced footballers who will end up featuring at various stages of the championship.
As more players return there will be huge competition just to make the match day 26.
Hoping for a great game with no injuries to either team,safe travels to all enjoy the football,we are in a good place
JP, I think that we can only make a true comparison with 2017 team once we see how the current team perform in the high pressure environment of a championship game in CP. There are some positive indicators but some players have not been fully tested and will take time to reach the level of some of the 2017 panel.
@Nephin,that would probably be Jack Fallon. Plays at midfield and yes has been playing there for the u-20s this year. Playing well.
Thanks JP and 2 Hops.