Mike Finnerty
WITH less than four weeks remaining until Mayo finally get into Connacht championship action, James Horan will be taking his squad to Ballaghaderreen next Sunday for a senior football challenge against Westmeath.
The game (which throws-in at 4.30pm) is being played to mark the official opening of the new Ballagh’ clubhouse and pitch re-development.
Mayo will be without the O’Shea brothers, Aidan and Seamus, who are both sidelined with injuries. The midfielders are facing a race against time to be fit for the championship clash with either Leitrim or London at McHale Park on Sunday, June 24.
The absence of the Breaffy duo looks set to present Ronan McGarrity with a chance to impress the Mayo management team next weekend as he bids to nail down a permanent place in the championship panel.
Meanwhile, both Andy Moran and Alan Dillon came through last weekend’s club championship action unscathed and showed no ill-effects of their recent back and hamstring injuries respectively.
Westport defender, Kevin Keane, sat out his club’s draw with Ballina due to a 24-hour bug but is expected to return to training this week.
The Ballaghaderreen club facilities will be officially opened next Sunday by Minister of State Michael Ring T.D., and before the senior game starts the Ballaghaderreen club will be honouring the members of teams from the period 1968-1972 who won Mayo titles at all grades.
Entry to the game is €10 for adults, €5 for students & OAP’s, and U-16’s are free.
