Team to play Roscommon named

Willie Joe

I was driving across the country this evening when the team to play Roscommon in tomorrow evening’s FBD final at the Dome (throw-in 7.30pm) was named. For the record, here it is:

Mayo (FBD Connacht League final v Roscommon, 20/1/2023): Colm Reape (Knockmore); Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis), Rory Brickenden (Westport), Enda Hession (Garrymore); Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore, captain), Conor Loftus (Crossmolina Deel Rovers), Donnacha McHugh (Castlebar Mitchels); Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina Deel Rovers), Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber); Fionn McDonagh (Westport), Bob Tuohy (Castlebar Mitchels), Bryan Walsh (Ballintubber); Aiden Orme (Knockmore), Conor McStay (Ballina Stephenites), Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet).

So it’s six changes from the team that started last Saturday’s semi-final win over Galway. Into the starting fifteen for tomorrow evening come Colm Reape in goal, Enda Hession, Conor Loftus, Diarmuid O’Connor, Conor McStay and Ryan O’Donoghue, while out go Rory Byrne, Sam Callinan, Fenton Kelly, Matthew Ruane, James Carr and Paul Towey. Tomorrow evening’s team is captained by Stephen Coen.

A short while ago, Roscommon named their starting fifteen and subs for the game. Full details on their match-day 26 are here.

The best of luck to Kevin and his charges tomorrow evening.

85 thoughts on “Team to play Roscommon named”

  2. Can’t see that team starting but then given the time of year, I wouldn’t fancy anything other than an unchanged side starting as named

  6. Happy to see Touhy, McHugh and Coyne keeping their places. All guys who offer us something different. We dont have many men in Mayo as tall as Touhy, and he might be our best fetcher of a ball. However, he is still a bit raw.
    Coyne needs experience that he can only get playing intercounty football so I’d keep playing him until he makes the management team convinced of what he can do one way or another.
    McHugh the same, but I am very high on his potential as an intercounty defender / man marker, keep playing him.
    One worrying thing however would be the absence of David McBrien, I understand he may not be injured but the fact a player who has such persistent niggling injuries has played one glorified challenge game as far as we know is worrying. However, with the secretive nature of GAA and the fact Mayo are playing two games on the same day, maybe he is being saved, along with Cillian AOS et al.

  7. Roscommon

    Carroll
    Gaughan
    Hussey
    Crean
    McCormack
    Stack
    C Daly
    N Daly
    Doyle
    Glennon
    C Murtagh
    Ruane
    D Murtagh
    Cox
    Carey

  10. This is, again, clearly an experimental side and we probably should’nt read too much into it,and we probably won’t see many of that team in the first league game. Management obviously want to see more of Coyne, McHugh, Touhy and Mcstay in a competitive game-will be interesting to see what subs get game time. The one selection that really puzzles me is Loftus at centre-half. He doesn’t strike me as a natural defender and is not particularly physical, so I am wondering what his role is-is he a kind of a quarter-back, to instigate attacks from deep-has anyone ever seen him play at number 6 in club games? The fact that he is being given two games there suggests that Kevin sees him as a credible option and may be a clue as to what system he intends to play.

  11. Assuming that Cillian, Aido, Paddy, Carney, Ruane, McBrien, Hennelly, Callinan et al are playing in the other game which will be on an outdoor ground it looks like management is trying out different combinations and that it’s not a first and second team situation. The main thing is that lads are being given a fair chance to show what they can do and after the effort they’ve obviously put in in training that’s the way it should be.

  13. Flynn and Ruane.
    This could be a very decent midfield pairing if (a) Flynn continues his improvement from last year, and (b) Ruane recaptures his 2021 form.
    I think it’s comparable to any other top sides midfield, apart from maybe Dublin if Fenton hits top form again.

  14. Absolutely Ciaran, same as that. Tubs will make a balls of that interview I’d say.

  16. Conor Loftus would for sure be used as a quarterback from deep. He’s a good kickpasser.
    We will need plenty kickpassers 5-9 if we really want to be effective at feeding our full forward and half forward lines early, quick ball.

  17. Delighted Leeroy is appearing on the Late Late Show tonight, our flagship TV chat show with over six hundred thousand viewers. I can see a future for Lee as a GAA pundit on RTE, he’s eloquent ,affable and hopefully he will become yet another Mayo voice in our National broadcasting station.Enjoyed his last appearance with Joe Brolly on the Sunday Game.

  18. It’s certainly a case of 2 combinations of teams, not an A and B team. But will be really interesting to see what the first choice 15 will be

  19. I’d have serious concerns about playing an outfield match on that hard ground if this frost persists.
    Last thing we need before start of league is any fresh injuries

  23. The death was announced earlier on today of Pierce Higgins, brother of Keith, who’d be battling Motor Neurone Disease in recent years. His condition was one of the main drivers behind the Hurling for Hope initiative that Keith was heavily involved in last year. Condolences to his family, friends and club mates. RIP.

  24. Condolences to the Higgins family. A huge loss to his family and community. Beannacht Dé le anamh Pierce dilis.Brón ar an mbas!

  26. I was very saddened to hear that news. May Pierse rest in Peace. My sincere condolences to the family

  28. Highorlow – that’s a nasty and utterly gratuitous swipe at a named player and as such you know full well that kind of stuff isn’t allowed here. Please bear in mind for future reference.

  29. Is the FBD match available outside of Ireland on TG4? If so, where can I access the stream? Thanks

  30. Sad loss for the Higgins family.
    Condolences to any ‘haunis folk who frequent these pages

  31. @S Cawley … not bring smart but Google it … it will show you how to get it . You should be able to watch it no problem

  33. Looking at the bench i don’t think a challenge is clashing with tonights match. Subs Rory Byrne – Castlebar,Jack Carney – Kilmeena,Ethan Gibbons – Castlebar, Ruairi Keane – Mayo Gaels,Fenton Kelly – Davitts,Eoghan McLaughlin – Westport,Niall McManamon -Westport,Cillan O’Connor – Ballintubber, Aidan O’Shea – Breaffy, Paul Towey – Charlestown, Joe Tuohy – Castlebar

    RIP Pierce Higgins put sport into perspective

  34. RIP Pierce, a brilliant hurler, such a competitor, he would have gone through a brick wall for Ballyhaunis . Great lad.
    Such a tragedy to go so young, with a young family. MND is an abomination.
    May he RIP

  35. My Ball….I don’t know but a mate from Ballina says he heard it was Donegal. I didn’t think we’d be playing challenge games against div1 opponents. Who knows?

  36. @mayomagic

    Is that the named bench or are you there and they’re warming up?

    I’d assume any challenge match would be tomorrow. Would be a bit daft arranging one for tonight imo

  42. Let’s hope a game of football breaks out in the second half.
    Intercounty footballers not able or afraid to kick the ball over the bar from 25-30 yards out in perfect conditions. What do they spend their time at in training if not spending time to improve their kicking accuracy

  43. Forwards these days either can’t tackle or are told to foul high up the pitch every bloody time. Even Clifford does it. It makes for brutal viewing

  45. I’m all for being prepared for all weather’s but Stephen Coen with the gloves down the bag of the togs is another level

  47. Ryan O D is a class act only we badly need Tommy conroy back baxks are doing a gpod job though

  48. Sincere Condolences to the Higgins family on the passing of Pierce, a fine hurler.He will be greatly missed by his family and the Community RIP Pierce.
    From Jimmy and Kitty Fleming in Kiltimagh

  49. 9 cards in a game where there wasn’t a foul worth talking about. The camera was on the referee more than any player.

  50. All 28 backs played well !! Seriously though, it was good to see Cillian and Ryan back

  51. That was as bad a game as I’ve seen in a very long time.
    Take the learnings and move on. Not one that will live long in the memory!

  52. Who got sent off? The TG4 feed was a bit choppy. Hard to say too many played brilliantly, but the overall defensive performance was energetic. Ref decisions difficult to understand at times.

  53. A little bit of silverware and no injuries – fixture fulfilled, it’s all about next weekend .

  55. Solid defensive effort, and players getting a run out. Expect a different intensity next weekend but Mayo continue to hunt in packs and put on a press up front. The Rossies will be disappointed with the return from their forwards but job done.

  56. Job done and lots got game time… Loads to work on and will be a very interesting team and panel for t the league… and Rossies beat so box ticked …
    Few have knives out for Mcstay and Co already. going by other forums on on. ,,some because they were disappointed their preferred candidate didn’t get the job but there is alot of knowledge and experience on the line and we should get behind the group.
    Has Conor Loftus bulked up? Thought he did well at 6 … full back line did OK too …. interesting times ahead …
    Now to the Late Late Show !!

  57. It was Rory Brickenden who got his marching orders….many a strange decision by the ref tonight.

  58. Cheers for that 2 hops. It’s January and we’ve beaten two Division 1 teams on successive weekends with pretty experimental sides. Not too much to complain about so far you’d think!

  60. I’d say Tubridy had to be told who keegan was during the week. Seemed more interested in asking Lee about rugby than any Mayo games he was involved in.

  61. A great performance by Mayo,surely must be favourites for Ssm, not a weak link in that team

  62. Lee was class , so honest and heart on the sleeve type buck .

    Dont think we will ever heal right over that side not winning one , finest side that ever represented Mayo .

  63. Every pre-season everyone warns about expecting or reading too much into warm up games……and every year a bunch of us fall into the same old mistake of getting carried away by good or poor performances. Will we ever learn?

  64. My Ball.
    I remarked on Loftus having bulked up during the match and yes , Lee for Sunday game. Correct on both counts I think.
    Maybe change your handle to, On The Ball.

  66. ROD the outstanding player- not too many others put their hands up tonight
    Loftus looked like he might have potential at Centre half back – held the centre well & impressive going forward
    but against limited opposition
    Corner backs looked ok – I think Coyne will be very good
    Midfield were anonymous although Diarmuid worked hard
    McDonagh showed on a few occasions & McStay is very good in possession but finds it difficult to win ball
    Orme goes missing for long spells & way too many wides
    We’re going to be relying on a lot of the older reliable’s for the coming year

  67. Getting back to tonight’s game. I didn’t think many really enhanced their stocks. Ryan was back to his old self which was great to see. I thought Conor Loftus looked solid at 6. He’s definitely bulked up.
    Jack Coyne looked tidy at corner back, he reminds me a lot of Brendan Harrison in 2016/17.
    None of the fringe players stood out. Bob Tuohy should have scored 2 goals but missed them both.
    Mcstay barely got on the ball. Unconvinced by mchugh as well. I know he’s got a reputation as a tight marker but you need more strings to your bow than that at this level. Especially if you are going to play wing back – probably handle more ball than any other position on the field and you just have to be a natural footballer that is comfortable in possession. Orme was shut out too but it wasn’t a night for inside forwards the way the game played out.
    Ruairi Keane was eye catching in his little cameo. He’s a big solid unit. Would like to see a bit more of him.
    Other positives were seeing senior players like Cillian, Aido, coen and Diarmuid get some good minutes in the legs.

  68. Defence was outstanding,midfield very good forwards just a little off the pace but will improve,Mayo for Sam

  69. Coen very underrated by Mayo supporters
    It is not by chance that he captained all Ireland winning Minor and under 21 teams
    Also I note he played all the FBD games to help the younger players
    I wish people on the forum give him a break and appreciate his leadership qualities.
    Some of the younger players did well but remember it was their first televised game which can be nervous
    Number 11,Toughy I think could have ended up with 2 goals
    He will improve
    Young mcStay not suited to FF but I would not give up on him.
    Some venue, great to win.

  70. Coyne and Hession did well in the corners. Callinan also caught the eye when he came on. Even allowing for the opposition that’s positive as we’re short in those positions. Not sure Brickendon is the answer at full back but he seems the only option currently…

    Loftus was pretty good at 6 but he basically had a free role with Roscommon set up so defensively.

    Midfield worked hard, but not as prominent as the Galway game.

    Fionn looked our most dangerous forward in the opening 20 minutes. Hopefully it was only precautionary taking him off. Ryan was decent. McStay is a skillful player but lacks a bit of physicality.

  72. Mikey3…..could we dispense with the phrase “the learnings”…..it triggers me in a bad way after 2021……
    Your spot on on everything else though!!

  73. Hard to know what to make of the two FBD games. I think it’s fairly clear we have a lot of work done already compared to the two teams we played. Especially Galway and probably Roscommon as well as they were very late with Burke taking over. That might come in very useful for the first half of the league but you’d be wary if we are getting an accurate picture of where we are at in reality. Only time will tell.

  74. Three points from Tonights Game.
    1..First trophy for Kevin Mcstay.
    2.Enda Hession is a half forward.
    3. Rory Brickenden at full back ????

  75. Nice to get the win all the same and plenty lads blooded .

    I’d be thinking the lineup for Galway be something like
    1 Hennelly
    2 Hession
    3 Brickenden
    4 Callinian
    5 Coen
    6 Loftus
    7 McLaughlin
    8 Ruane
    9 Flynn
    10 Carney
    11 Mcstay
    12 Diarmuid
    13 Cilllian
    14 Carr
    15 ROD

    Worried about fullback but let’s give Brickeden a run.
    Eoin Mc Laughlin actually came on in halfforward line if there’s any reading into that.
    Surely no 6 is between Conor Loftus and Kevin Mcloughlin . I think 6 or 7 will suit kevin better .
    Mcstays an intelligent player and deserves a shot .
    Mchale is a player I’d like to see more of , carr hopefully has had a confidence boost as quality is there and besides that until O Hora returns that’s probably as strong as team as can field.

  76. Our full back line options are not great 🙁
    I don’t know if Brickenden is quick enough/quick e rough on the turn for this level

  77. Would like to have seen Donnacha McHugh tried at corner back. Looks like he could possibly be a man marking corner back. Enda Hession is physically too light for corner back at county level.

  78. outside of the boot – agree with most of that team, but I’d put Diarmuid 11 instead of McStay and play McDonagh or Bryan Walsh on the wing.

  79. I dont thiNK he is either KM79, thought we’d see more Mcbreen but didn’t
    Coen at 3 is an option but has and hasn’t worked previously .
    Definitely we have lost our best 2 options for 3 in keegan and mullin.
    I think Paddy Durkan is going to have to play no 4 but Callinnan is worth a run for while
    We need to ensure free taking is sorted too and Cillian and ROD share it or decide who takes on which side .

  80. Could Donnacha McHugh be converted into a full back? He’s around 6’2″, reasonably athletic/pacy and a good man marker.

  81. There was an excellent full back on last years minor team – John mcmonagle, he would be u18 now and hopefully does well at u20 level and is a potential long term problem solver for this tricky position in 2 years or so.
    In the meantime I think McBrien is the best option I’ve seen. I think Brickenden speed of thought and general pace is a fraction off what’s required.
    Mchugh is not the answer either I don’t think.
    Mullin certainly is a big loss in this area.
    I wouldnt mind seeing ROD come out to the half forward line. To do this we need Conroy, COC, Towey, Orme or carr to become settled in the FF line.

  83. Nice to get the win, but hard to read anything into either individual or team performance. I, ve seen more physicality and intensity in exhibition matches and I hope that referee doesn’t get any important games, as everyone will be off before the end of the game. I did’nt take much from the game-I thought that Coyne did okay, Jordan and I liked the look of young Tuohy, who looked lively and showed for ball and I know he missed goal chances. Not convinced by McStay as a full-forward and Loftus looked useful at CH, particularly setting up attacks. Some seem impressed by our defending, but I was not, as I thought that Ros. cut through us much too easily, only to shoot a load of wides-I thought their defence was much tighter. While the Dome is great, I am not sure playing these games in it is going to do the Connacht teams any favours when the real stuff starts on the heavy pitches in wind and rain. May Pierce Higgins Rest in Peace. ?.

  84. The FBD has always been a competition where lads get their first senior county jersey, and with the new management, there was always going to be a lot of attention on what had they unearthed in their wide search for new talent. It’s always great to see new blood getting a chance. Maybe we should reserve judgement on the young lads and give them more opportunities to develop.
    It would be great if anyone could share updates on
    Paddy Durcan, Tommy Conroy, David McBrien & Padraig O’Hora? Are they training and available?
    Also, does anyone know are these lads in the current panel: Michael Plunkett, Jason Doherty, Fergal Boland and James McCormack.
    And one final question – is Eoin O’Donoghue totally off the radar these days?
    Hon Mayo – onwards and upwards for a good start to the National League campaign.

  85. @Cloyd 9 all I know is that Tommy conroy is back in training but not doing every training session I don’t think they are trying to ease him back in but he is going great stephen Rochford said in an interview. I think he was on the bench for sigerson cup but not 100% sure on that.

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