Liam McHale names Mayo team for first game as manager

LIAM McHale has named his first ever starting team ahead of the opening round of the Lidl National Football League Division 1

Westport's Saoirse Lally will captain the green and red from full-back with veteran Fiona McHale has been listed at full-forward for Sunday's meeting with two-time All-Ireland senior champions Meath in Ballina. 

Youngster Fionnuala McLaughlin has also been named to start, as are with the Reape twins, MacHale Rovers star Sinéad Walsh and experience Kilmovee Shamrocks forward Sinéad Cafferky. 

Castlebar Mitchels duo Kathryn Sullivan and Danielle Caldwell - a reigning All-Star - are named to star in the half-backline. 

The Mayo ladies will be out the services of a number of players from last year, including defender Clodagh McManamon, who has opted out of the panel for 2024. 

There’s plenty of experience in the Meath starting line-up, and on the bench, with the likes of Emma Duggan and former skipper Shauna Ennis to call upon.

Former All-Star goalkeeper Monica McGuirk will captain the Meath team for the 2024 season.

Mayo: Lisa Reid; Lucy Wallace, Saoirse Lally (captain), Emily Reape, Kathryn Sullivan, Danielle Caldwell, Jenna Mortimer; Aoife Geraghty, Hannah Reape; Fionnula McLaughlin, Lisa Cafferky, Maria Cannon; Tara Needham, Fiona McHale, Sinead Walsh.

Meath: M McGuirk (captain); K Newe, A Sheridan, N Troy; N Gallogly, M.K. Lynch, A Cleary; M O’Shaughnessy, S Melia; M Thynne, E Moyles, C Smith; M Byrne, M Farrelly, A Leahy.