Mayo Senior Hurling Manager JP Coen has announced the team to face Donegal in the Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final on Saturday afternoon in O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny. Coen and his management team of Liam Donoghue, David McConn, Derek Walsh and Tommy Feeney have kept their faith in the same 15 who comprehensively defeated Armagh in the previous round.
Castlegar’s Padraig O’Flynn retains his position at centre-back with Ger McManus moving back to the edge of the square. Ciaran Charlton and Kieran McDermott anchor the team at midfield while All Star footballer Keith Higgins will lead the attack at number 11, with top scorer Kenny Feeney manning the full-forward berth.
Manager Coen was delighted that the full team made it through the first round of the football championship injury free last weekend and is also boosted by the addition of U21 football stars David Kenny and Fergal Boland to the match day squad. Should Mayo overcome Donegal on Saturday they will face the winners of the other semi-final, Fingal or Armagh, in the final at Croke Park on June 4th.
The starting 15 for Saturday’s game is as follows;
1 Donal O’Brien Ballyhaunis
2 Eoghan Collins Ballyhaunis
3 Gerard McManus St. Jude’s
4 Brian Hunt Ballyhaunis
5 Cathal Freeman Tooreen
6 Padraig O’Flynn Castlegar
7 Austin Lyons Ballyhaunis
8 Ciaran Charlton Tooreen
9 Kieran McDermott Ballyhaunis
10 Sean Regan Tooreen
11 Keith Higgins Ballyhaunis
12 Joseph McManus St. Jude’s
13 Darren McTigue Castlebar Mitchels
14 Kenny Feeney Tooreen
15 Shane Boland Tooreen