Q: First things first. How much is it in?
A: The good news is that the GAA top-brass have decided to cut the supporters some slack in these recessionary times and cut €2 off last year’s admission price. So, that will be €13 for an adult to get into all the NFL games this spring.
Colm O’Rourke did make a good point at the weekend though: “There will have to be a lorry load of €2 coins parked at the turnstiles of every ground. Pity the poor county board officials with sacks full of coins going around supplying the turnstiles.”
Q: Is everyone fit and raring to go?
A: Unfortunately not. Conor Mortimer is out for the season and Donal Vaughan will probably miss all of the National League matches. Pat Harte won’t be back until the summer either but Seamus O’Shea and Tom Parsons should be available for selection at the end of the month.
Peadar Gardiner tore his hamstring playing for NUI, Galway last week so he’s a non-runner for the first few games as well but David Clarke (ankle) and Barry Moran (shoulder) are hoping to be okay for next weekend.
Q: What’s the story with a Mayo captain?
A: James Horan told The Mayo News yesterday that he will be picking a captain later this week. And, unlike Tomás Ó Flathartá in Galway who named three skippers, Mayo will be keeping it simple with a captain and a vice-captain.
Andy Moran and Trevor Howley led the team out during the FBD League but we wouldn’t be surprised if Alan Dillon got the job for the rest of the season.
Q: When we will know the team?
A: There’s a challenge match between the Mayo senior and U-21s tonight (Tuesday) in Castlebar so James Horan and his selectors will have a fair idea of their team for Saturday after they finish their Bovril in McHale Park.
The squad are getting together again on Friday evening but I think we can expect some ‘white smoke’ on the starting XV by the middle of the week.
Q: Is the Down game on the box?
A: Yes, if you have access to Setanta you can watch it live on Setanta Sports 1 or deferred on Setanta Ireland. Of course, Mid West will be broadcasting live too and half the stand are likely to be tweeting for Ireland as well!
Q: What kind of a team will Down have?
A: A fairly strong one by the look of things. It’s their first time back in Division 1 since 1995 so they’ll be looking to get points on the board early on.
Plus, while the Mayo lads were dumped out of the championship last June, Down were still going strong at the end of September so they’re bound to be in good shape.
Q: What’s the plan of attack for afterwards?
A: Straight home! It’s only the first round of the league, plus there’s a recession on!
