"They'll add an awful lot to our playing panel" - Moran gives Mayo squad update

Mayo manager Andy Moran has given an update with regard to his senior side.

“Firstly, we're carrying a big squad at the minute. I suppose that needs to be trimmed over the next couple of weeks, but we have a couple of challenge games coming up in the next couple of weeks.

"Again, nothing hidden, we're playing Meath this Sunday, and we're playing Offaly the following Sunday, as you know, and then the FBD kicks in. So over the next couple of weeks, we'll see a lot of new players, a lot of new faces.

"Obviously, the Westport, Kilmeena, Ballina lads need a tiny bit of rest period, and we'll be giving them a bit of a prolonged rest period, so you probably won't see any of them in the challenge matches over pre-Christmas.

“So if you look at our guys under the age of 22, I think we've got 16 guys under the age of 22, and the majority of them will be playing Sigerson football. So we'll have to do without them at the start of the FBD and maybe some of the National League as well.”              

Moran has also confirmed he has an injury-free squad currently, with only one player out of action for the next few weeks.

“In terms of long-term injuries, there's not really anyone in terms of long-term. I'm looking at my squad here, Donnacha McHugh had a tiny bit of a procedure, but he'll be fine early in the New Year.”

The Mayo manager also touched on the return of players who previously stepped away. Moran highlighted the positive impact they can bring to the table both on and off the pitch.

“Those older fellas were there before that; they've seen the way a dressing room should work, the banter that should work in the dressing room. So I think even the likes of Robbie (Hennelly), Cillian (O'Connor) and James Carr, for me, that's nearly the most important thing in bringing the older guys back.

"Obviously, they'll add an awful lot to our playing panel, but yes, they're adding a lot to the dressing room, which is nearly the most important thing.

"With regards to the new rules of course and the two pointers in particular, what Robbie can bring to the table from frees, what Cillian can do in his role and James Carr as well.”

When asked about the possibility of Ballina’s Evan Regan returning to the senior team as a player, the Ballaghaderreen man confirmed that the 2025 Mayo SFC top scorer had been invited to pull on the Green and Red.

“Evan was asked, but he was asked, 'Do you want to be the nutritionist or do you want to be a player?'

"Evan has decided to stay in his role as nutritionist.

"The question was put to him. I think it would have been very remiss of me to turn around after him scoring 2-14 in two county finals.”

"There has to be a turnover of the squad" - Andy Moran on Mayo youth impact in 2026