Mortimer back in action as Gardiner makes four changes to Mayo U-20 team to face Leitrim

CONNACHT title-winning Mayo Minor captain Rio Mortimer is due to make his first start for the Mayo U-20s this evening against Andy Moran’s Leitrim side.

Mayo U-20 manager Peadar Gardiner has made four changes in total to the team that defeated Galway in last week’s Round 2 clash in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

Mortimer comes in for Westport’s Lorcan Silke while Kilmeena’s Liam Moore is set to line out at midfield instead of Diarmuid Duffy, who reverts to the half-back line in place of Paul Gilmore.

Balla’s Oisín Cronin, who hit a point from the bench against Galway last week, has been named at wing-forward in place of Finbar McLoughlin from Westport.

Brendan Collins from Ballina Stephenites has been given a starting berth at wing-back while Sean Morahan moves to centre-back in place of Castlebar Mitchels teammate John MacMonagle, who will miss this evening’s game due to a suspension incurred following a red card in last week’s win over Galway. 

Mayo travel to Ballinamore this evening to face a Leitrim team spearheaded by Paul Honeyman, who scored 1-6 against Mayo when they met in last year’s Minor championship.

Gardiner’s charges head to Ballinamore this evening needing a win to cement their place at the top of the round robin group on the back of a win over Galway and a draw against Roscommon.

Leitrim lost their only game of this year’s Connacht U-20 Championship to Galway on score of 0-13 to 2-16.

The Mayo team named to start against Leitrim in Round 3 of the Connacht U-20 Championship is as follows:

David Dolan (Balla); David Slattery (Claremorris), Eoin McGreal (Garrymore), Rio Mortimer (Claremorris); Diarmuid Duffy (Ballinrobe), Sean Morahan (Castlebar Mitchels), Brendan Collins (Ballina Stephenites); Conal Dawson (Westport), Liam Moore (Kilmeena); Oisín Cronin (Balla), Cathal Keaveney (Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin), Tom O’Flaherty (Aghamore); Darragh Beirne (Claremorris), Niall Hurley (Claremorris), Darragh Reilly (Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin)

FIXTURE

Connacht U-20 Football Championship Round 3

Mayo v Leitrim

Wednesday, April 3

Ballinamore at 6.15pm