5 Mayo Under-20s to watch out for

TALENT Mayo’s Paul Towey

Feature

Ger Flanagan

David McBrien

Ballaghaderreen

THE stylish defender has really burst onto the scene in the last twelve months, impressing hugely in his club, Ballaghaderreen’s, run to the County Senior Final last October.

A member of the Under-20 team in 2019, the UL student was an all-action wing back during Ballagh’s run to the County Final this year.

He’s been tried at both centre back and full back throughout the Leo Murphy campaign, and would be confident in slotting into both, being a long, rangy type of player.

Oisín Mullin

Kilmaine

AFTER lining out at corner-back last season for the Under-20s, it seems likely that the versatile defender will be stationed in the half-back line next Saturday.

Club and Mayo senior commitments means that Mullin hasn’t actually played with the Under-20s yet this year but, injury permitting, he will start against Galway.

Mullin has played a lot of football in the last few months but looked full of energy and enthusiasm on his two recent National League starts against Donegal and Dublin.

Mark Moran

Westport

THE Westport full-forward earned two man of the match awards in-a-row in the Leo Murphy Cup recently so comes into the Connacht championship in fine form.

Moran is sure to be a marked man from the off, but with two good feet, accuracy and agility, the NUI, Galway student is very difficult to tie down and will be a handful for the Tribesmen.

A younger brother of Colm, who played in the National League with Mayo last season, this could be Mark’s chance to make his mark.

Paul Towey

Charlestown

JAMES Horan had Towey involved with the Mayo senior set-up well before Christmas, so clearly likes what he sees in the Charlestown forward.

He’s been in good form recently too, shooting seven points against Louth in the Leo Murphy Cup Final in Carrick-on-Shannon recently.

Deadly accurate off his right boot, and possessing all the speed to make the half a yard he needs for a shot, the University of Limerick student will need his shooting boots on if Mayo are to progress.

Frank Irwin

Ballina Stephenites

A SON of former Mayo All Star goalkeeper Gabriel Irwin, the teenager was a star for the county minors last year in their run to a Connacht title and an All-Ireland semi-final, and has made the transition to the higher grade seamlessly.

Incredibly athletic, Irwin caught the eye at the AFL Combine that took place in Dublin recently, despite still being a Leaving Cert student.

Strong on the ball and comfortable in possession, as well as being accurate from the dead play and play, Irwin can operate in midfield as well as in the half-forward line.