Photo: RTÉ
Mayo GAA released a brief statement last night from manager James Horan on how things are shaping up with the Senior panel after his first few weeks back in charge. You can read the statement in full here.
In it, James confirms that over one hundred players from 44 clubs took part in the trial matches that were held over the October Bank Holiday weekend. Arising from the trials, he states that “lots” of new players have been brought into the squad to complement existing panel members.
The real work, James insists, starts now on “developing these players and building our game.” With this in mind, the group will, he says, be “working hard” between now and New Year preparing for the new season that lies ahead.
No details were provided in last night’s statement about which new players have been brought into the set-up in recent weeks, nor was any information supplied about existing panel members being released. As far as I know, no such details have been published in any of the local papers either. As a result, speculation about who might be in or out remains simply that, though no doubt when the action resumes in the New Year it’ll become clear fairly soon who’s involved and who isn’t.
The first match of the Horan II era takes place on Sunday, 6th January, when we face Leitrim away in the preliminary round of the FBD League. The first competitive assignment for the new management team comes, however, in the form of a Division One Round 1 clash with Roscommon at MacHale Park on Saturday, 26th January under the MacHale Park lights, where throw-in that evening will be at 7pm.
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I’m at the mayo association doo here in Dublin a few of the Mayo lads here… minding their P&Qs, but all rearing to go next year. Up Mayo
Now maybe we can have a break from rumours and reports of who is in and who is out, at least until official training resumes. Thanks to those who can restrain themselves.
Indeed we can wait for two months to see how things look for the new season. Well done to James for giving new lads a trial. Now let’s relax and let James get on with his project. Maigh Eo Abú!
James Horan v Anthony Cunningham makes for interesting contrast in styles for the January 26th encounter.
Ok. I’m sure we’re not the only county predating for NFL 2019.
As approx 160 players were on view in the senior quarter finals & ditto in the Intermediate equivalent – all in the heat of battle, the capacity to mine additional talent to all those will be challenging indeed.
Does anybody know if Brian Reape made Horans panel.He isn’t listed on Ah Refs twitter account panel but I was told from someone else he is on the panel.Also surprised to hear Jack Reilly not named on panel.
any feedback from Horans trial games, any new talent coming through or any of last years panel showing poor form. Any sign of a new Full Back , bad defeats for Belmullet and Balla today , maybe a lean period coming for Mayo , Galway seem to be a head of us at all grades
Belmullet should have won the game in my opinion Spiddal are a poor footballing side, some terrible shooting from play and from frees. Belmullet really missed their link man Ryan O Donoughue and any momentum they got in the game was interrupted by injuries or incidents. Balla lost to a Sligo outfit and I don’t buy the notion that Corofin will win easy against Ballintubber it will be a contest and Ballintubber won’t have much to lose.