Mike Finnerty
JOHN O’MAHONY got a good look at some of his Mayo senior football squad last weekend with games against a county U-21 selection and Connacht club champions, St Brigid’s on successive days.
A large number of the senior panel are currently on a Caribbean cruise but those that did not travel togged out in challenge games on both Saturday and Sunday last weekend.
Among those that were in action were veteran attacker Kevin O’Neill (33) and All Star Conor Mortimer who looked sharp on his first outing of the new season against the Roscommon club champions on Sunday.
There had been some speculation that O’Neill – scorer of two goals in last September’s All-Ireland final defeat by Kerry - would retire, but he also played against St Brigid’s.
Run-outs were also given to to 2006 All-Ireland U21 medallists Mark Ronaldson from Shrule/Glencorrib and Ger Cafferkey of Ballina Stephenites.
Mayo’s first competitive outing of the season comes in the FBD Connacht League next Wednesday, January 17, away to IT Sligo at 7.30pm in Ballinode. On Sunday, January 21 they face John Maughan’s Roscommon in Ballyhaunis before concluding their group games against NUI, Galway at Flanagan Park, Ballinrobe on Wednesday, January 24.
The Mayo GAA travelling party return from their transatlantic trip next weekend after their seven day break.
A number of County Board officers and members of the 2006 senior panel are currently in the Gulf of Mexico.
MEANWHILE, Mayo footballers also featured prominently in inter-county GAA fixtures right across the country last weekend.
Former Mayo minor midfielder, Thomas Parsons, Balla’s Alan Costello and Ballaghaderreen duo Barry Regan and Barry Solan (who came on as a substitute) all lined out for IT Sligo in their win over Roscommon in the FBD Connacht League.
Elsewhere, Paddy Navin from Claremorris was at corner-back as UCD lost to Offaly in the O’Byrne Cup while Knockmore’s Damien Munnelly kicked a point for DIT as they beat Longford in the same competition.
