We select ten players who could make a big impact on the club championship
Feature
Mike Finnerty
SENIOR
1 Tommy O’Reilly
Breaffy
A SON of former Mayo forward, Tom Reilly, who played in the 1996 All-Ireland Final, it’s no surprise that this will-o-the-wisp corner-forward can play.
O’Reilly (18) has got pace to burn and a sweet left foot while his slight frame allows him to ghost into scoring positions and create chances.
A student at St Gerald’s College, Castlebar, the teenager may be the goalscorer that Breaffy have been missing. Oh, and if they end up playing Castlebar Mitchels at any stage, he could be marked by his brother, Eoghan.
Strange, but true!
2 Gary Keane
Westport
A FORMER goalkeeper during his days at Rice College, Westport, Keane has been deployed in the middle of the field in recent months by his club manager, Tomás Tierney.
The former Mayo minor is a big, strong man with a good pair of hands and a massive right boot. He may not be as well-known outside Westport as his brother, Kevin, the Mayo defender, but Gary can prove a handful for some big names this summer.
3 Ronan O’Boyle
Castlebar Mitchels
THEIR inability to clock up scores in the last two county finals is one of the main reasons why Castlebar ended up trailing in behind Ballintubber on both occasions.
Ergo, Pat Holmes’ job might be a little easier this year if O’Boyle, a Mayo minor back in 2005, could start firing on all cylinders after returning to the Mitchels fold.
A talented soccer player with Castlebar Celtic, the flame-haired forward has an eye for goal and we await his celebrations with interest.
4 Joe Keane
Crossmolina
NOT to be confused with his namesake Joe Keane snr (the experienced forward), this younger version is currently trying out the number three jersey for size after an injury-disrupted season in 2011.
A powerfully-built and dynamic defender, the 22 year-old could solve a big problem on the edge of the Deel Rovers’ square this summer.
Like his namesake, he’s cool, calm and collected too.
5 Austin O’Toole
Ballina
A MEMBER of this year’s Mayo U-21 squad, O’Toole is currently auditioning for a midfield spot alongside Ronan McGarrity in the engine-room of the Stephenites’ senior team.
His height and fielding ability have always marked him out from the crowd, especially at underage level, and he will give Anthony McGarry an option in both the middle of the field and on the edge of the square.
Learning the ropes from the likes of McGarrity and Pat Harte should also mean that his apprenticeship is a relatively short one.
INTERMEDIATE
6 Shane McDermott
Burrishoole
AFTER battling back from a cruciate knee ligament injury, the Mayo U-21 defender will be hoping that he can help Burris’ to make it third time lucky in the ultra-competitive Intermediate race.
His manager, Colm McManamon, will be looking to build his team around the likes of McDermott following the departure of a cluster of his squad recently.
His club’s captain last year, the half-back has the skills-set to push on and up.
7 Paul Mannion
Mayo Gaels
PRODUCING good goalkeepers has never really been an issue for Mayo football down through the years and this custodian from Mayo Gaels is no exception.
Having first caught our eye with the Mayo minors in 2011, Mannion was also Ray Dempsey’s first choice goalkeeper with the county U-21s this year.
A student at GMIT, he is solid under the high ball, is an excellent shot-stopper and has a good kick-out. A young man who will lead the Gaels from the back.
8 Niall McCormack
Islandeady
ONE of three nominees for The Mayo News/O’Neills ‘Junior Player of the Year’ award in 2011, McCormack was among Islandeady’s shining lights as they brought home the McDonnell Cup last year.
The full-back also forced his way into the Mayo U-21 panel earlier this year as Ray Dempsey was impressed with his athleticism, strength and all-round game.
The Mayo juniors also came calling in recent months and the step-up to Intermediate should bring out the best in McCormack.
9 Darren McHugh
Hollymount/Carramore
WE’RE pretty sure that McHugh is the first player from his neck of the woods who is a regular in the Ireland waterpolo team and will also play in the Mayo Intermediate championship.
The talented centre-half back was playing his football with Carramore until their amalgamation with Hollymount, and has been winning rave reviews for his performances recently.
His background in waterpolo means that strength, conditioning and fitness is not an issue, and he will be a key man in the South Mayo club’s drive for the title.
10 Niall Prenty
Ballyhaunis
THE son of a well-known father (John, the Connacht GAA Council Secretary), Niall has been busy in recent years carving out his own niche with both the Mayo minor and U-21 teams.
A strong, tough, hard-running half-forward, Prenty is being utilised at the moment by Frank Browne to try and provide the ammunition for his sharpshooters close to goal.
However, he is also a capable scorer and, along with Keith Higgins, sets the tone for the ‘Haunis.
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