Mayo set to ring the changes

Horan to ring the changes


Mayo set to mix things up for visit of Galway

Mike Finnerty

THE Mayo team to face Galway in next Sunday’s Connacht SFC semi-final is due to be announced after training tonight (Tuesday) with James Horan set to make as many as six changes from the side that beat London last month.
Fit-again Keith Higgins, Trevor Mortimer, Aidan O’Shea and Kevin McLoughlin are all in line for a return to the starting fifteen with Seamus O’Shea and Cillian O’Connor also believed to be in contention for places.
Speaking to The Mayo News last night, the Mayo manager confirmed that Trevor Howley is his ‘main injury worry’ this week.
The versatile Knockmore player injured his knee in a club game nine days ago and will be receiving treatment up until Sunday.
Howley took no part in Mayo’s A v B trial match last Sunday morning in Castlebar but Ronan McGarrity did play, and came through his first game in eleven weeks unscathed.
“There are a lot of difficult decisions to be made in terms of picking the team,” explained James Horan. “There’s a lot of competition for places. We’ve got more players to choose from than at any other stage during the year.”
He added that Ger Cafferkey will ‘be considered’ for selection despite being out of action for almost two months with a hamstring problem.
When assessing next Sunday’s opponents, Horan said: “Galway played Cork last week, and in their last three league games against Armagh, Cork and Dublin they were very competitive. They’re a good, balanced, skilful team that can do damage.”
And he had this to say on what Mayo supporters can expect from their team next Sunday.
“The minimum expectation that people rightfully should have is that the team would go out and work for the cause, and for the team. If we’re good enough, we’re good enough.”
Meanwhile, a crowd of approximately 20,000 is expected to be in McHale Park next weekend.