Big night in London for two Mayo men

Tonight is a big night in north London for two east Mayo men.

Bohola native John Mountney is in the Dundalk squad for their Europa League game at Arsenal, where Ballaghaderreen man Barry Solan is the head strength and conditioning coach.

The game at the Emirates Stadium will be shown live on Virgin Media Two (free-to-air) and Virgin Media Sport from 7 p.m. this evening (Thursday, October 29), with analysis from Brian Kerr and Niall Quinn.

Last week, Mountney was in the Dundalk team that lost 2-1 against Molde in their first game in this season's Europa League. Sean Murray had given Dundalk the lead in the first half with a brilliant header from a cross by Mountney but Molde restored parity in the 62nd minute when Etzaz Hussain’s volley beat Gary Rogers with the help of a deflection off Sean Gannon and the Norwegian side scored the winner from the penalty spot 10 minutes later when Ohi Omoijuanfo rifled his effort past the Dundalk goalie.

Arsenal, meanwhile, started their Group B campaign with a 2-1 win over Rapid Wien in Austria. After falling behind, David Luiz equalised with a header before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was sprung from the bench and went on to score the winning goal.

In a message to Mountney – who played for both Kiltimagh/Knock United and Ballina Town before leaving Mayo for League of Ireland football – the Mayo Football League wished him and his team-mates best of luck for tonight's match.

*Pictured top: John Mountney of Dundalk training at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium ahead of this evening's Europa League match. Pictured bottom: Ballaghaderreen native Barry Solan, the head strength and conditioning coach at Arsenal FC, pictured in his playing days for London in an All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Westmeath in 2006. Photos: Sportsfile