We’ve finally named our team for tomorrow’s match with Cork and an interesting selection it is too. Here’s the full details on the team and subs:
Mayo (NFL Division One v Cork, 3/4/2011): Robert Hennelly (Breaffy); Tom Cunniffe (Castlebar Mitchels), Alan Feeney (Castlebar Mitchels), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Richie Feeney (Castlebar Mitchels), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Lee Keegan (Westport); Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy), James Kilcullen (Ballaghaderreen); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber), Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen); Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber), Alan Freeman (Aghamore), Jason Doherty (Burrishoole). Subs: David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites), Peadar Gardiner (Crossmolina), Chris Barrett (Belmullet), Barry Moran (Castlebar Mitchels), Jason Gibbons (Ballintubber), Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy), Aidan Kilcoyne (Knockmore), Enda Varley (Garrymore), Ronan Rochford (Crossmolina), Aidan Campbell (Swinford), Eoghan Reilly (Castlebar Mitchels).
This selection is interesting at many levels but I have to dash out shortly and so I don’t have time now to dwell on it. I do like the look of that full-forward line, though …
I welcome the return of Alan Feeney and hope he has a good day against a big strong FF. We desperately need a FB who can inspire confidence.
Using Kevin McLoughlin at No. 10 is interesting – I wonder if he will be deployed as an extra defender and if so it I hope it has been well thought out and practiced.
This is a big step up for Lee Keegan and I hope he just concentrates on marking his own man really tight.
Midfield is where I am most concerned – it might work out well – but as with all experiments – I have a niggling fear that it has the potential to fall apart entirely. And if it does we could suffer a right humiliation. On the positive side it is a great opportunity for James Kilcullen to show us what he is made of. JH does need to have plan B ready to deploy at an early stage and not wait until we are miles behind.
Cillian O Connor may be a bit on the young side but he can take a free. Even if that is all he contributed tomorrow it would be progress. It would certainly keep the backs honest.
I agree with JH experimenting in order to find our best 15 and there are risks involved. However, at this stage the lads need to build confidence in themselves – and beating the AI champs wouldn’t be such a bad experiment to try!
A huge opportunity for a number of players. With a big perfomance, Alan Feeney can put down a real marker for the full back spot. O’Shea in midfield is more likely be through necessity rather than choice but its simply not working out up front for him at the moment so it hopefully can bring the football out of him that he is capable of.
Diehard has it spot on with O’Connor. With a team rebuilding like ours, a reliable freetaker is essential and he kicks them for fun-if there’s a sniff of a goal chance he’ll be in there too so its a no brainer despite his youth.
unreal full forward line just need to let the ball in early to them in they will provide the scores. interesting midfield we need someone to partner mc garrity for champ so i think its a good idea to give the two lads a chance to prove themselves..
A full foward line with real potential and a reliable free taker,only 12 places to solve!
That team is looking a bit more physical defensively. Mcloughlin and Barrett are nice footballers but they are a bit light against the very best. As others have said, midfield could be great or a disaster. AOS had two good outings at midfield recently (one in a U21 challenge against todays opposition) but it’s not the most mobile combination ever. Up front, we are looking in better shape. If this team can topple the AI champions (even if they have an experimental side out too) then we would be surely safe and the league can be seen as a success overall.