Preview
Mike Finnerty
mikefinnerty@mayonews.ie
THE Mayo team to play Leitrim in next Sunday’s Connacht SFC semi-final at McHale Park, Castlebar will be named on Wednesday with a number of places believed to be still up for grabs.
Aidan O’Shea, who hasn’t kicked a ball since April 8, didn’t play any part in last Sunday’s ‘A’ v ‘B’ squad trial game in Castlebar and is not expected to feature.
Barry Moran looks set to get the nod at midfield with Danny Geraghty, Jason Gibbons, Ronan McGarrity and Seamus O’Shea (who did play in last Sunday’s trial game) all in contention to partner him.
Westport defender, Kevin Keane, will make his senior championship debut with Lee Keegan in line for his first championship start.
Keane has recovered from a dead leg injury that he sustained in training ten days ago.
In attack, Jason Doherty and Alan Freeman are also believed to be pushing hard for inclusion after showing up well recently in training.
James Horan confirmed to The Mayo News last week that there were “one or two spots” still up for grabs ahead of the team being selected.
On the injury front, Cillian O’Connor, Peadar Gardiner, Chris Barrett and Aidan O’Shea all sat out last Sunday’s trial game.
However, O’Connor is expected to be available for duty next weekend.
“There’s always going to be knocks and bangs but, overall, we’re in good shape,” said the Mayo manager. “We’re monitoring Aidan O’Shea day-by-day, and that’s the way we’re taking it.”
On the subject of Ronan McGarrity’s return to the Mayo fold last month, Horan said: “We’re still assessing his role and where he is. It’s obviously very hard for him because the panel had a huge amount of work done. He’s trying to play catch-up so we’ll just evaluate that when we’re looking at things and see where he is.”
A crowd in excess of 10,000 people are expected to be in attendance in McHale Park on Sunday.
The day will also see the official opening of the €18 million redevelopment of the county ground. That opening will be performed by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Tickets will be on sale from 10am to 6pm today (Tuesday), 10am to 9pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and from 10am to 6pm on Friday at the Secretary’s Office at the back of the new stand at McHale Park. It is also expected that tickets will be available at the ground on the day.
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