Strong Mayo contingent looking to dash Green and Red hopes in London

IT’S a case of all roads lead to West London for the loyal Mayo support on Saturday afternoon as their heroes aim to get off to a winning start.

For almost everyone from this neck of the woods, the goal is simple: progression to a MacHale Park semi-final meeting with either Roscommon or New York.

However, for some in the ranks of the opponents waiting in the English capital, this clash represents a chance to cause one of the greatest upsets in Connacht Championship history against their home county.

There are three Mayo faces in the London panel, who have all seen game time in either the FBD League or the National League.

Of that trio of men behind the wire, Conor O’Donoghue has seen the most game time.

The Charlestown Sarsfields man has been an ever-present for The Exiles, playing every minute for Michael Maher’s troops in Division Four, with the exception of the Tipperary opener, where he got on the scoresheet in the second half.

The other pair of Mayo natives, Ciaran Gaughan and Stephen Henry, have also made a handful of appearances.

Gaughan, who was a key cog for Bonniconlon in last year’s Junior Championship, started the FBD League draw with Sligo, where he slotted over a free.

Both he and proud Swinford native Stephen Henry played the entirety of that game, with Henry also coming into the fray in the Galway and Leitrim clashes.

All three will be endeavouring to play a part in a slice of history on Saturday for a side that has had a much-improved league campaign.

Last season, truth be told, left a lot to be desired. London finished six points off promotion from the basement and went winless in the Tailteann Cup.

So far, there has been a large uptick in showings.

A draw with Tipperary, coupled with a first ever league victory over the subsequently promoted Longford, provided a platform for a campaign which saw them in the hunt for the Division Three promotion spots until the last ball was kicked.

Ultimately, narrow defeat to Antrim saw those hopes scuppered, but wins on trips to Longford and Carlow, as well as victory over Wexford at home, paint a much rosier picture than 12 months ago.

Many positives can be taken ahead of the championship meeting with the men from Mayo.

If we’re talking players who can be a handful up top, Joe McGill is the man to keep an eye on. The star forward for the men from McGovern Park plied his trade with Saint Mary’s, Convoy in Donegal, but has shown his pedigree in the green jersey.

Last year on a blustery Bekan evening, McGill starred for North London Shamrocks in the provincial club series and was their best player as they ran Ballina Stephenites close for most of the game.

His tally of 0-36 for London in the National League, including three two-pointers, makes him one to keep an eye on, but he’s not the only one.

In 1999, Cill Chomain man Pat Rafter was handed the odious task of keeping tabs on Pádraic Joyce. Now, his son Shay is one of the London dangermen, also hoping to pull off an upset.

A league total of 24 points isn’t to be sniffed at, and sees him earmarked as a top forward, along with McGill’s fellow countryman Ciaran Diver.

Let’s make no bones about it: Andy Moran’s Mayo men are expected to win, and win well on Saturday.

However, for the London support among the 3,000 souls jammed into McGovern Park, they’ll be hoping that just maybe a giant-killing will be on the cards, and that O’Donoghue, Gaughan and Henry can play their part.