It’s semi-final night in the Connacht U20 Championship, in which our lads open their campaign with a clash against Sligo at MacHale Park. The match throws in this evening at 7.30pm.
The starting team for this evening’s fixture was announced yesterday and here it is:
Mayo (Connacht U20 semi-final v Sligo, 3/7/2019): Jamie McNicholas (Kiltimagh); Jack Coyne (Ballyhaunis), Rory Brickenden (Westport), Oisín Mullin (Kilmaine); Aaron McDonnell (Ballinrobe), Conor Beirne (Breaffy),
Eoghan McLaughlin (Westport); Evan O’Brien (Ballinrobe), Gavin Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels); John Gallagher (Mayo Gaels), Paul Towey (Charlestown), Paddy Goldrick (Charlestown); Aiden Orme (Knockmore), Stephen McGreal (Claremorris), Tommy Conroy (The Neale).
Both semi-finals are down for decision this evening, with Galway facing Roscommon in Kiltoom (throw-in 7.30pm) in the other penultimate round tie. The provincial final is fixed for this night week, also at 7.30pm, with the venue dependent on how this evening’s matches go. Further details on both semi-finals are here.
By the looks of it, the weather in Castlebar will be perfect for football this evening so, if you happen to be at a loose end, I’m sure the lads will appreciate all the support they can get for this knockout Championship fixture.
Best of luck to Mike Solan and his young charges this evening.
Won’t be able to make it to the game this evening because of work which is a pity. I like the look of the full back and full forward lines but admittedly these would be the players I would be most familiar with from club football. I would advise anyone thinking of going to keep an eye on Stephen McGreal, Rory Brickenden and Aiden Orme this evening!! Hopefully Tommoy Conroy keeps his development going and he will be another talented inside forward fighting for a place with seniors!!
Is it too much of a stretch that one or two of these guys could play out of their skins and get a call up to the senior panel ?
Probably a bit young but you would never know.
Anyway the best of luck to them this evening.
We should be good enough to beat Sligo at home, though there are a few good players on the Sligo team including a couple from my local club.
On a slightly off-topic point, just to follow up on an issue over the last few days, my season ticket has been updated this morning for attendance at the Armagh match, so check your online account if you were waiting for this.
Revellino these lads are the same age as Clifford and he is in his second year playing senior if your good enough your old enough. That is a strong team on paper I was expecting Stephen Gavin from Ballintubber to be on but he is a good replacement Nathan Moran from Hollymount was on the team last year only a sub this year great to see such competition for places. Win tonight and start a run going minors Friday seniors Saturday and shake them up.Why was the minor match not moved with the seniors and get them used to playing in front of a big crowd.
Can i ask which stand in Gaelic Grounds are Cairge ticket holders seated.
I am holder of Cairhe ticket and will have company of non cairge ticket supporters.
Ed – Cairde Mhaigheo ticket holders are being seated in the Mackay Stand. To be honest, if the evening is fine I’d go across to the open seating on the far side. The elevation in the Mackey Stand is very low so it’s like being in a bloody box and can be hard to get a good view from in there.
Hope to make it to MacHale this evening and on Friday as well as Limerick.
Mayo GAA helps keep a retired manout of worse devillment.
Off topic, anybody in LGFA able to tell me why the ladies match is at 4 pm on Satuurday in Limerick? Looking at LGFA fixtures down the years I often wonder are they trying to discourge people from attending their games. Only the most diehard will be in Limerick at 4 pm.
Andy D in case there is a draw and extra time in the ladies game they have to start it at 4pm
Last couple of times we were in Limerick there was some hassle with the officials regarding seating arrangements. Some of us with tickets had to go into the Mackey stand which was fair enough but rest of family had to enter the far stand. Now some Mayo supporters had young kids sitting in the far stand on their own which is not ideal. We nearly had to start a riot before they let us cross over. The officials were nice don’t get me wrong, but they kept hiding behind sanction from Croke Park but eventually seen since. So, ticket holders beware of this if your bringing kids and have an adult to accompany them just in case.
Rivellino,
Players cannot play both U20 and senior. We have enough young talent on the senior panel without calling up U20s.
Let therm play their own age group, they will have plenty of time at senior. By the way are there two Eoghan McLoughlin’s playing in Westport? I seem to recall Eoghan McLoughlin playing for Westport [and minor for Mayo] when they won the All Ireland Intermediate and that’s a long time ago for a current U20.
AndyD – that was probably his brother Oisin.
Here, WJ, don’t mind the sunshine, we need everyone in the stand. It projects great noise and we need every voice possible!
Can’t wait for this
That’s right Wide Ball,
Oisin scored a super goal in that final, coming in from the sideline under the Hogan stand out past the 45m line.
He’s in the senior development panel.
Is game on mid west?
It’s a big year for Michael Solan. None of these bucks won connacht at minor. If he can reverse that itd be a very good sign. The very least would be a win tonight and a highly competitive showing against galway who are going to wallop roscommon tnte.
It’s great to get a winning team underage but at u20 what you’re really lookimg for are 2,3,4 lads who really stand out as talented as well as physically and mentally ready for the step up to senior next season.
Bar Conroy did any of this team start in the AIF last year? Am I right that Mullen would have but got injured earlier in the campaign?
Four players from last year were involved in the U20 final last year, Mayonaze. Evan O’Brien and Tommy Conroy both started last year’s final, while John Gallagher and Stephen McGreal came on as subs. As you rightly say, Oisin Mullin would most likely have been involved too but he got injured in the Connacht final and played no part in the campaign thereafter.
The match is live on Midwest … but now they’ve gone back to the studio so it’s only updates by the sounds of it.
WJ – Nathan Moran also played in last years final…injured so can’t play today. Going well, Mayo 0-12 to 0-2 at HT and our keeper saved a sligo penalty.
Oisin McLoughlin, Tommy Conroy, Paul Towey, Orme all motoring well but game lacks any sort of championship intensity for me.
Anyone know how the game is going there? Thanks.
Mayo 12 pts Sligo 2pts
Half time Seamus
Mayo 16pts Sligo 3 pts latest
Easy win by the sounds of it. Not great prep for a Connacht Final v Galway who beat roscommon comfortably enough in kiltoom.
Would be great to get some objective opinions on the game by anyone who was in Castlebar this eve…
Anyone have score from Galway and Roscommon game?
Galway 17 to 1-7.
Was talking to someone at it who said Galway won in 3rd gear. I don’t think ros were up to much.
is the venue fixed for the u20 cf next wed.
@James Fleming, thanks for the updates on the score. Good result!
Tuam next Wednesday for final.
Game had lost all shape by half time. Sligo poor, tried hard but not at it and very one dimensional.
Mayo done what had be done, a lot went silly season last 25 taking on men and silly shots.
But still kids.
Delighted for club man Orme who was excellent in his first competitive outing for Mayo. Good day for parish with minors winning SL semi-final v Breaffy.
Impressed with no.4 for Mayo as well tonight. Think he’s Kilmaine. Great drive and reader game.
@Gizmo, you flagged Adrian Orme a long time ago. Oisin Mullins Kilmaine. He looks like a real athletic player. Oisin Mullins is u20 next year also.
Sligo very poor only scored 2pts in first half. Mayo did what they had to do but hard to judge because opposition so weak. Mayo midfield strong and that pairing Evan o Brien and Gavin Durcan played midfield for NUIG so Galway know all about them. When this Mayo team were minors 2 years ago they were destroyed in Castlebar by Evan Murphy. Does anyone know what he’s at now cos he’s not in Galway u20 squad and no longer with Galway Utd soccer. Did he go to US or Australia?
Murphy did his cruciate playing for club against mountbellew last Autumn. He’s on Padraic Joyce radar. Doimg some travelling now I believe. Will no doubt be back playing something, gaelic football or soccer. Most likely the former.
Murphy was an outstanding minor. A very determined guy. Pity he didn’t declare for Mayo. His father is from the Neale.
Another excellent minor on that Galway team was Larry Finnertys fella, Robert.
It’s actually something Mayo should take a loser look at…you have thousands of Mayo people living in Galway, with kids brought up supporting Mayo. It seems a shame that there’s not a greater emphasis placed on encouraging these kids to declare for Mayo at tedd webb level. It’s allowed through parental rule so nothing wrong with doing so.
*closer look!!